my job regarding the law.. questions

[Tyler]

i work at pet supermarket corporate warehouse. i do everything from fork lift operator, reach truck, stock pickers. and a lot of heavy lifting.

I requested 2 weeks ago for a back brace since my back has been hurting lately due to heavy lifting and constant bending over and what not.

I have asked every day for a back brace and am still yet to recieve one. Everone else in the workplace has one that was given to them by pet supermarket.

Now my back has been seriously killing me for i'd say the passed week. and yesterday topped it from the work i had to do. I am now calling in because i can hardly walk without it striking me in pain.

Does the law, or OSHA require that a place of work such as pet supermarket supply their employees with a backbrace if requested? im going to get my back checked out to confirm damage.

Its to the point where im going to be looking for somekind of settlement because im in pain here that was easily avoidable.

anyone know what i can do?

[95FirebirdConvertible]

I'm not sure about the law or OSHA situation. I would think 2 weeks is more than plenty of time for them to get you a back brace. I know what kind of pain you are going through and it must be tough. Definetly get it checked out and stay away from anything that is going to put strain on your back, you don't want to make it worse. Good luck with your back.

I don't know how your work situation is exactly but if it was me, I'd be too pissed to go right back to work for them for a little while.

[Mogobs30th]

No, OSHA doesn't require the employers to supply a back brace, only because they are virtually useless. Instead, OSHA requires employers to teach their employee's to lift things properly. I also think that OSHA doesn't force any employee to pick something up that weighs more that 70 lbs. Your employer can easily say that you haven't been doing that, which will negate the possibility of you getting a settlement.

From personal experience of working in warehouses for the last 7 years, back braces are pointless. They really only promote lifting things with your back instead of your legs.

[Tyler]

well yea the point of the back brace is to Brace your back.. so you dont bend or twist it anyway during heavy lifts..

its still the fact of the matter that i requested one and they just totally blow it off.. meanwhile every new employee i see is walking around with their new backbraces and tshirts..

I've been there 6 months and got only one shirt, and no back brace. **** pet supermarket. im taking the day off and going job hunting.

thanks for your replies guys. Im still reporting **** to osha hahaha the equipment is so poorly maintained. the stock pickers harnesses are frayed in half and the blinkers dont work on the machines .... guys never buy from pet supermarket.. the place sucks major ween

[zlexiss]

Mogobs is right, OSHA and NIOSH both found that back belts don't do anything to prevent injury, and proper body mechanics is key.

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/12/05/back.belts/

But it does sound like the warehouse is in serious need of some ergo evaluation. Out here at the factory they're constantly evaluating how people are reaching and moving as they do their jobs, since it costs so much to train someone that it's well worth it to make sure they don't get injured.

[camaro_speedemon]

You got hurt on the job, this is a workman comp issue.

[Copperhead]

exactly...call a lawyer...workman's comps cases are free unless you reach a settlement...or it is in Missouri..so even if you go after em and they get out of it you're still not out nothing...and i bet they get they're **** together too...