By Lisa Yackel, CVPM, PHR, SHRP-CP
If you have been in the veterinary industry for any length of time, you have most certainly heard the phrase “my aching back”. It is one of the reasons I was propelled into management from being a veterinary technician over 30 years ago. All these years later, back injuries still account for one in every five workplace injuries and, next to the common cold and flu, is the reason most cited for absenteeism from work. In the veterinary industry, back injuries occur more frequently than any other kind of injury, except bites and scratches.
Most commonly, it is L4L5/S1 that causes a lot of grief and was certainly my situation for many years until back surgery was necessary. This spinal segment has several interconnected components, any of which can cause lower back and/or leg pain (sciatica). The lowest of the lumbar spine’s five vertebrae (called L5) can slip forward over the first vertebra of the sacrum (called S1) and cause pain by compressing the nerve root.
As administrators, being aware of the causes of back injuries is a first step in minimizing the risks. Ensuring that your practice has ramps, steps, and lift tables to help with the lifting of larger animals is critical as lifting is an essential element in the job of an animal handler. Training and the use of common sense is of particular importance. The culture of the practice is also a huge factor. For many technicians, it becomes a sense of pride to say that you can “do it yourself”. Always train, encourage, and acknowledge team lifting and handling.
The Importance of a Lunch Break
It also can be a badge of honor in some practices to never take a break and to be able to work long shifts. I had a wake-up call years ago during an evaluation of a long-term employee. This employee ALWAYS took an hour lunch break. Granted, it never interfered with his work load and he would often take his break well after everyone else to ensure that the surgeries were complete and the patients were cared for. I sadly admit that I was very resentful of his firmness on taking his break no matter what.
At his review, I was open about how this was perceived by myself and some of his coworkers. He was rather shocked and went on to explain that it was the only way he could get through the 10 hour day that was often demanded of our technicians. He had chronic back pain (he had two back surgeries in his career) and, by getting off his feet and doing some stretching exercises, he was able to continue working. In fact, this particular technician never called out sick in the 26 years I worked with him. I was chagrined to learn how insensitive and clueless I was, especially with my own history. It served as a time to reassess our culture and ensure that everyone on the team understood what was necessary to ensure healthy backs with the physical challenges the job often brought.
Everyone Is At Risk
There is also a need to address other team members who aren’t necessarily working one on one with the patients. Back strain is common in those who sit at desks for long periods of time or who do a lot of repetitive motions like mopping. This means that our cleaning crews, receptionists, and even you, as an administrator are at risk. I thought the answer to my back problems would be solved by getting off my feet and working less with the pets. Little did I know that hours sitting at a computer would escalate my back issues.
How To Help Your Team
There are many things we can do to help our team. Studies have shown that giving your team literature on stretching exercises and physical conditioning of their backs can minimize the risks of long-term back injuries. Maintaining healthy weights, good posture, ergonomic chairs and workstations, and taking regular breaks can help just as using proper lifting techniques do.
Encourage self-awareness of using poor posture or awkward positions like bending over, stooping or crouching. Have your employees monitor being in the same position for long periods of time or working when physical overtired.
As a manager or supervisor, become educated on acute back pain versus chronic back pain. Often, it is recommended that the sufferer should try to remain as physically active as possible because doing so will reduce the severity of their symptoms. It is often recommended that they continue working or return to work as soon as possible. This can make for a bit of a balancing act for you as you don’t want to appear too insensitive by pressuring them to come back to work too soon.
So, take it from a seasoned manager who learned the hard way that back injuries are no joke and that a culture of awareness and proactiveness can make all the difference. We all care about our team, want to prevent workman’s comp claims, and still increase productivity. While taking breaks might sound counterintuitive when it comes to boosting productivity, it’s one of the best ways to do so. Employees gain focus and energy after stepping away from their desks and off the floor. Look at your current hospital culture. Are there improvements you could make to ensure happy, healthy employees with backs that will stand up to a career in veterinary medicine?