Back belts are not effective in reducing back injuries


What are back belts?
Back belts, also known as lumbar or weight lifters' belts, or back support devices, are designed to be worn by people performing some form of manual handling, particularly lifting weights. They are usually of an elasticised material, with or without stabilising shoulder straps, and can be worn loose and then tightened up during manual handling tasks. They are generally worn around the lower back.

Why do people wear back belts?
When people are performing strenuous manual handling they may feel as if they will get more support when they wear a back belt. However, this can be misleading as the support from the back belt doesn't translate to a significant reduction in the stress on the spine and surrounding muscles and ligaments.

The scientific evidence about the use of back belts
1. Back belts don't reduce the forces on the spine
According to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) back belts provide only minimal reduction in compressive force and do not provide a significant reduction in risk of injury. Some research has found that in fact the highest compressive and shearing forces in the spine occur when wearing a belt.

2. Back belts don't reduce the strain on muscles, tendons and ligaments
There is a substantial body of evidence in the literature that demonstrates the 'lack of effect' of back belts in reducing the degree of strain upon associated muscles, tendons and ligaments, or the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to the back, associated with manual handling tasks. Belts have been found not to change the activity levels of spinal muscles in any posture

3. Back belts do nothing to reduce fatigue or to increase the ability to lift
Wearing a back belt has been found to have no effect on either muscle fatigue or maximum weight able to be lifted. Therefore the use of back belts cannot be endorsed for minimising back muscle fatigue or increasing available lifting force. In fact there is a danger that use of a belt may encourage the lifting of increased weights if the user wrongly thinks they have increased lifting ability.

4. Back belts are like holding your breath when lifting
Studies have shown that wearing a back belt has a similar effect on the abdominal (stomach) muscles to holding your breath. This has the effect of increasing pressure on the abdominal muscles and that can cause stiff and exaggerated postures. These postures may increase the potential for injury.

5. Back belts can increase blood pressure and breathing rate
One study found that diastolic blood pressure increased significantly during lifting when wearing a back belt. Researchers also found an increased rate of respiration when subjects wore back belts during physically demanding tasks. Increased blood pressure and rate of respiration can increase the risks of heart attacks in susceptible people.

6. Back belts don't reduce the chance of injury or reduce back pain
A 1994 NIOSH study concluded there was no evidence that back belts actually reduce the risk of worker injuries. Later research in 2000 showed again there was no evidence that the use of back belts (either by requirement or individual choice) reduced the incidence of back pain or back injury claims. A study of the retail industry showed no differences in injury rates between workers who did or did not wear belts.

7. Back braces can be useful after an injury
Where damage has occurred, back braces may be prescribed by treating doctors or physiotherapists. This is designed to restrict the wearer's movement during the recovery phase or for long term prevention of further damage.

In summary, there is:

  • Little scientific evidence of increased lifting power;
  • Little scientific evidence of lower rates of injury in workers wearing back belts; and
  • Some evidence of potential harm from increased abdominal pressure and increased blood pressure.

An employer's legal responsibilities
There is a Code of Practice for Manual Handling which aims to provide practical guidance on how to comply with the duties in the Occupational Health and Safety (Manual Handling) Regulations 1999. The Code of Practice states that "back belts and similar devices are not considered to be mechanical aids, and are not a valid risk control".

When choosing a risk control measure, the Regulations require the elimination of the risk, and if this can't be done, a reduction of the risk by altering the workplace, work systems or objects, or by using mechanical aids. The use of back belts to prevent musculoskeletal disorders does not comply with these requirements.


Acts and Regulations


Acts and regulations are available from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or order online at www.bookshop.vic.gov.au.

View the legislation at Victorian Law Today: www.legislation.vic.gov.au.


Standards Australia


Copies of standards can be obtained by contacting Standards Australia on 1300 654 646 or by visiting the web site at www.standards.com.au.


Further information


Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety (Manual Handling) Regulations 1999, available from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or order online at www.bookshop.vic.gov.au.

Manual Handling Code of Practice, available from Information Victoria (see above) or online from WorkSafe Victoria's website at www.workcover.vic.gov.au. You can also order a hard copy of the code by ringing WorkSafe's publications ordering number (03) 9641 1333 or email your order via publications@workcover.vic.gov.au. Alternatively pick one up from your local WorkSafe Office.

Special Note on Codes of Practice: Codes of Practice made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 provide practical guidance to people who have duties or obligations under Victoria's OHS laws. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 allows the Minister for Workcover to make Compliance Codes which will provide greater certainty about what constitutes compliance with the OHS laws.

Codes of Practice will continue to be a practical guide for those who have OHS duties and WorkSafe will continue to regard those who comply with the topics covered in the Codes of Practice as complying with OHS laws. WorkSafe will progressively review all Codes of Practice and replace them with guidance material and in appropriate cases, with Compliance Codes.

If you only want to view the legislation you can use the Parliament of Victoria web site. Go to www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au and click on 'Victorian Law Today', scroll down and follow prompts to the search option.

The NIOSH information on back belts can be found via the NIOSH home page and their excellent search facility (left hand column on home page).

A list of the references used in the development of this guidance note is available from WorkSafe Victoria. Email a request for the list of references via the address: ergonomicsunit@workcover.vic.gov.au.

Note: This guidance material has been prepared using the best information available to WorkSafe Victoria. Any information about legislative obligations or responsibilities included in this material is only applicable to the circumstances described in the material. You should always check the legislation referred to in this material and make your own judgement about what action you may need to take to ensure you have complied with the law. Accordingly, the Victorian WorkCover Authority extends no warranties as to the suitability of the information for your specific circumstances.

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