Can braces prevent workplace injury?

Two of the most commonly seen braces in the workplace are back belts and wrist braces.

Back belts

Back belts are devices worn around the waist or lower back, typically made of elastic material, and are sometimes believed to support the spine or reduce loads during lifting. However, the research on back braces in the workplace shows that these devices:

• Do not consistently reduce spinal loading during lifting or handling tasks.
• Limit mobility and may reduce the elasticity of muscles and tendons, potentially contributing to back injuries.
• May create a false sense of security, increasing the risk of lifting excessive loads.

There is also no conclusive evidence that back belts alone prevent back injuries.

As a result, WorkSafeBC does not consider back belts to be personal protective equipment (PPE) under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. There is insufficient evidence that they reduce exposure to the hazards associated with strenuous or repetitive work.

Wrist braces

Wrist braces (also referred to as splints or supports) are sometimes used in tasks involving repetitive hand movements or sustained wrist postures. Like back braces, the research shows that wrist braces:

• Do not eliminate exposure to risk factors such as repetition, force, or awkward wrist postures
• May restrict movement, interfere with task performance, or increase strain in other body areas after prolonged or routine use

There is also limited evidence that wrist braces prevent the development of work-related upper extremity injuries when used as the main control.

Wrist braces are not considered PPE for the purpose of injury prevention, as they do not reliably reduce the musculoskeletal (MSI) risk factors present in the task. Their use is generally more appropriate in clinical or rehabilitation contexts, under medical guidance, rather than as a workplace control.

Read more

To learn more about workplace controls, risk assessments, and the role of braces, check out the other articles in this series:

• Looking beyond braces for musculoskeletal injury (MSI) prevention
• Engaging workers in musculoskeletal injury (MSI) prevention
• How to prevent musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs)

You can also check out the following web pages for more information on ergonomics and back belts:

• Ergonomics | WorkSafeBC
• Back Belts | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
• Back belts - Do They Prevent Injury? |  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

We're here to help

If you have questions about ergonomics or human factors, or need help managing the risk of MSI in your workplace, please contact us at HumanFactors@worksafebc.com