According to surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over one million workers report back injuries each year. It is not just factory workers who are at risk for injury but also office workers. This is why it is vital to be proactive with regard to your back health. Here are a few ways you can prevent back injuries while you’re at work.

Use Proper Lifting Techniques

Whether you’re lifting a heavy object on the factor floor or picking up a box of copy paper in the office, it is important to use the proper lifting technique. That means lifting by focusing your energy on your knees and your core muscles. It also helps to keep whatever you’re lifting close to your body.

Stay Active

Maintaining your weight is going to go a long way towards improving your overall health. That also applies to your back. It is not just the strain from lifting heavy objects that can cause back problem, but also the strain of being overweight. Staying active can help keep your weight in check. It can also strengthen your back muscles. If you can’t make it to the gym, there are some exercises you can perform in your office. That will help develop your core muscles, which goes a long way toward preventing injury.

Avoid Wet Floors

Slip-and-fall accidents are some of the most common workplace injuries, including back injuries. Wet floors are the culprit in most of these types of accidents. This is why you want to pay attention to your surroundings. On rainy days, you can expect the lobby of your building to have wet floors. Janitors are able to put down “caution” signs whenever there are wet floors from cleaning, but you can’t always count on that. It will help to stay off the cell phone as you’re making your way to your office so you can watch where you’re going.

Upgrade Your Office Chair

Sitting all day slouched in a chair is not doing your back any favors. This is why you should invest in an ergonomic chair that can provide proper back support. Even with that type of chair, you still need to maintain proper posture in order to maximize the benefits. An investment in this type of chair can pay off in the long run by lowering the number of sick days employees take because of a bad back.

If you have already suffered any kind of back injury, then you know how debilitating they can become. That is why you want to take measures to prevent them from recurring. When your back feels good, so will the rest of you.