What is the deal with back braces & Auto Zone?

[THORROMIG]

Why does it seem 66% of my local Auto Zone employees have back braces on? Really, how much lifting-pushing-pulling could they possibly do at that job? Wonder besides the Managers if they even offer insurance to there employees? Liability situation or what? Is it also seen at other Auto Zone stores around the Country?

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

OSHA rules more than likely.

I hated mine when I worked in a lumber yard many years ago. But we got fined when the OSHA inspectors dropped in unannounced, so...

 

[ABerns]

I'm sure there are rules, either OSHA or insurance. I can imagine back injuries from installing batteries -- bent over trying to put the "heavy" (relatively) battery in.

 

[Jimmy9190]

It's easy to answer that one...fear of lawsuits. Someone working at an AZ somewhere got hurt on the job, and either sued AZ and won or there were some kind of workers comp issues. So now AZ makes all employees wear the support belts.

 

[eljefino]

They could also have been injured in the warehouse then sent up front for light duty as a "retail associate".

 

[javacontour]

Odd, because apparently OSHA doesn't recommend such lifting belts/braces.

 

[dparm]

Like any other store, they receive shipments in big boxes. Those are probably lifted by hand. Batteries are also quite heavy.

 

[EricF]

It's simply another tool that the employees are supposed to use when lifting or stocking heavy objects.
Same applies like if you charge or test a battery, you're supposed to wear the protective thick gloves, the apron and the goggles (or face shield).
Most employees don't bother with any of it.

However, if someone got injured, AZ would say you didn't use the safety tools available to you AND you also signed a paper stating you were trained on it AND you also took an online quiz about safety and passed. (it has to be done withing 5 days of employement).

Not that a lawyer would mince meat through all of that, however, AZ would use it to bully you into backing down.

 

[THORROMIG]

Personal
Pertective
Equipment

 

[Chris142]

We had to wear them when i worked at kragen. A case of antifreeze weighs 50 lbs. I remember 3 of us loading a bb chevy into a customers pickup bed by hand.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: thorromig
Personal
Pertective
Equipment

But it isn't. NIOSH reviewed studies and found that there is not enough evidence to show that back belts help prevent injuries. They are often improperly worn or treated as protective equipment when they are in fact aids. There are no OSHA standards requiring the use of back belts and any insurance company that requires such use is insane and deserves the headaches caused by back injury claims resulting from improper back belt use. I work in the workers' compensation insurance space for a Fortune 500 company and have been asked about this and presented training on this countless times.

If it is a rule, then it is a dumb rule. It has most likely worked its way into the culture and is now entrenched. That's too bad.

 

[bullwinkle]

Dumb & AZ in the same sentence. Imagine that!

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
It's easy to answer that one...fear of lawsuits. Someone working at an AZ somewhere got hurt on the job, and either sued AZ and won or there were some kind of workers comp issues. So now AZ makes all employees wear the support belts.


+1 no doubt

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: thorromig
Personal
Pertective
Equipment


This, plus having one on is a reminder to lift properly. Lifting improperly is a big cause of injury.