Safety Knights

From my experience, they are typically used incorrectly and provide a false sense of security. NIOSH has a publication out that emphasizes that back belts are not recommended for injury prevention, just for medical treatment/rehabilitation. While there is data that shows it's good for medical treatment/rehab, there's not any substantial evidence showing that they are beneficial from an injury prevention standpoint.

We had an incredible Occ Nurse at a previous employer. She wouldn’t allow back belts on the manufacturing or packaging floor. Her explanation was that people would rely on the belt and then lift improperly. False sense of security + improper task performance = full OSHA log. I remember I laughed out loud when I saw her presentation.

Back belts work by supporting the core muscle groups. Over long periods of time the core muscles will atrophy (get weaker), and back injuries will be more likely to occur. I focus on getting employees more active in their personal live, and for back safety I recommend Pilates via YouTube