Can a company issue a back support to an associate without a prescription from a physician?

Yes. An employer may provide a back support or back belt to an employee without a physician's prescription. However, OSHA and NIOSH do not consider back belts to be a substitute for effective ergonomic controls.

When addressing lifting and other ergonomic hazards, employers should focus first on:

• Engineering controls such as lift-assist devices, adjustable workstations, and material-handling equipment;
• Work practice controls such as proper lifting techniques, team lifting, and reducing unnecessary manual handling; and
• Administrative controls such as job rotation, work-rest schedules, and workload management.

Back belts may be used as a supplement to these controls, but they should not be relied upon as the primary method of preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). NIOSH has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to show that back belts prevent back injuries. Some studies suggest that workers wearing back belts may believe they can safely lift more weight, potentially increasing their risk of injury if other ergonomic hazards are not addressed.