Use of back belts in occupational settings.

Studies of the biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of action concerning the prophylactic use of back belts to prevent occupational low back injuries are limited in number and present conflicting findings. The epidemiological data concerning the efficacy of back belts in the prevention of occupational low back injuries are not sufficient to warrant general use of back belts in the occupational setting for uninjured workers. There is actually a potential for increasing the degree of low back injury with general application of back belts in occupational settings. In sum, there are insufficient data in the scientific literature to indicate that general use of back belts in occupational settings is appropriate for uninjured workers. Because the increase in use of soft canvas back belts has been fairly recent, physical and epidemiological studies pertaining specifically to soft canvas back belts are extremely limited. The sample size of many physical investigations also is extremely limited. In many instances, studies concerning the role of back belts in preventing occupational low back injuries have examined conditions that do not apply directly to the use of soft canvas back belts. For these reasons, further studies in both the physical and epidemiological realms are necessary before it is appropriate to use commonly constructed back belts as personal protective equipment in occupational settings.