Prime Health exercise physiologist Joel Mowday and Pilbara Iron emergency management officer Peter McDonald have already presented 22 training sessions with more than 200 employees attending.
The programme, developed by physiotherapist Angelina Palumbo, involves both theoretical and practical components leading to a greater overall awareness of ways to reduce the risk of back and spine injuries.
Focusing on safe manual handling, the sessions answer some common questions on correct posture and heavy lifting techniques.
“Mine sites are particularly demanding on the body with many situations where back injuries can occur. Employees are becoming more aware of their surroundings, taking more care with heavy lifting and working in awkward spaces", said Joel.
Back to Basics suggests you ’Unwind, Untwist and Stretch' regularly to keep your back in good shape. For example, if you spend an extended period working with your left side, you need to unwind by stretching to your right side. It’s really all a matter of balance.
Each presentation includes a number of exercises and stretches, which if completed on a regular basis can help to reduce the risk of injury.
One common cause of back pain highlighted in the programme is a condition called creep, referring to the amount of time it takes for your back muscles to form back into place after an extended period of time in one position.
Creep can cause back pain and prolonged discomfort in everyday activities such as gardening or working on a computer for long stretches.
If you are interested in a Back to Basics session on your site, send us an email to health@riotinto.com.
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