RUI: Development of the Back Index: A Collaboration Between Lamar University and the NSF I/U CRC in Ergonomics at Texas A&M University

Lamar University, Beaumont TX

Investigators

Abstract

This research will employ a faculty/student team to develop an epistemological study using non-occupational, psychosocial, and personal risk factors to predict occupationally related low back pain. The study will validate the usability and predictive power of the "Back Index" model to predict a manual materials handling job's risk for producing low back pain. This work will be an extension of the work done by the PI at the Texas A&M Ergonomics Industry/University Cooperative Research Center which will collaborate in this study. Research results will be incorporated into undergraduate teaching. Low back and trunk injury was responsible for 30% of the 2.8 million industrial injuries in 1998. In 1996 the total cost of industrial injuries was $122.6 billion.