TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE PROCEDURES

24.02.02.X1.01 BACK SUPPORT PROGRAM
Approved: December 6, 1999
Revised: October 5, 2001
Supplements System Policy 24.02 and System Regulation 24.02.02 with its additional requirements

The back support program is intended to reduce the potential for back injury to employees and to reduce injury lost time and workers' compensation costs. This procedure does not remove or reduce an employee's Workers' Compensation Insurance benefits for a back injury. It is applicable to every employee who receives a back support belt as a part of the back support program.

2.00 PROCEDURES

A. Each unit head will identify employees who should, pending necessary financial resources, receive support belts based on job tasks that may result in back injury. Examples of such tasks include heavy lifting, long periods of stooping or bending, and pushing or pulling large objects. The Texas AgriLife Research (AgriLife Research)/Texas AgriLife Extension Service (Extension) Service Safety Coordinator will review for approval the request for each support belt.

B. The unit head will appoint a representative from his or her unit to provide instruction to each Extension employee who receives a support belt. The representative will be trained by the AgriLife Research/Extension Service Safety Coordinator. This training program will include the following:

1) identification of tasks that require the use of the support belt,
2) proper care and use of the support belt,
3) proper lifting techniques to further reduce the potential for injury,
4) benefit to the employee from proper use of the support belt,
5) details of the Extension Service Back Support Program procedure, and
6) documentation to be kept with other pertinent safety training records at the unit.

C. An employee who is assigned a support belt is expected to wear the belt as instructed. If an employee refuses to participate in this safety program, this refusal may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination (See System Policy 32.02 Discipline and Dismissal of Employees and System Regulation 32.02.02, Discipline and Dismissal Procedures for Employees Other Than Faculty).

D. Each support belt will be provided with a unique identification number so a specific belt may be assigned to each employee; this number should be recorded in the employee's personnel file. The employee is responsible for having the belt available at times during the work day when tasks require back support as stipulated by the employee's supervisor. The employee is responsible for replacement of the belt if it is lost, stolen, or if it is ruined due to negligence.

E. The back support belt remains the property of The Texas A&M University System at all times; however, an employee may use the support belt during non-work hours, if desired. If the belt is needed to perform the job and the employee fails to have the belt available to wear at work, or if work time is lost while an employee leaves work to get his/her support belt (e.g. if the belt was left at home), that time will not be counted as time worked.

F. An employee who is physically unable to wear the support belt (as verified in writing by a medical doctor) or an employee performing work in which the belt could cause a safety hazard will not be expected to wear the support belt.

G. Employees who perform duties that are not considered to have a potential high risk for back injury may request a back support belt. The supervisor of the employee seeking to acquire a support belt on a voluntary basis may submit this request to the Extension Service Safety Coordinator. Any employee who receives a back support belt by request will be expected to abide fully with this procedure.

H. When an employee terminates employment, the support belt must be returned to unit of employment. The unit will keep the belt in its inventory. When additional employees needing back support are identified, belts may be assigned from this inventory whenever possible. Otherwise, replacement belts or belts of different sizes may be requested as necessary.

Questions regarding this procedure should be referred to the AgriLife Research/Extension Safety Coordinator at 979-862-4038.