OEM Grand Rounds: Prevention of Work-Related Back Injuries Related to Heavy Manual Lifting

Class description

At this OEM Grand Rounds session, Dr. Stephen Bao, seasoned ergonomist and epidemiologist, will discuss the underlying causes of work-related low back disorders, with a focus on occupations involving heavy lifting. Dr. Bao will review key biomechanical exposures associated with lifting tasks, discuss how these exposures can be quantified, and highlight relevant variables to measure. Participants will gain practical insight into commonly used assessment approaches, interpretation of results, and strategies to reduce injury risk. Case studies and hands-on exercises will be used to reinforce measurement techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring cases from their own practice involving heavy lifting for discussion.

Presenter:

• Stephen Bao, PhD, CPE - Senior Epidemiologist, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries; Affiliate Professor, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington