How does BACK-TRACK Pro Work?

Click here to see how BACK-TRACK Back-To-Work works.

Data Collection: The Device

The BACK-TRACK device attaches to an employee's belt, and measures trunk flexion (the angle at which the individual bends over). When the device senses that the programmed thresholds have been exceeded, (defaults have been pre-set but can be amended remotely over the web), it vibrates to alert the user about their undesirable lifting technique. There are two preset thresholds, one for leaning (which has a delay function also) and one for stooping (which alerts the user immediately).

The device also records these events, listing the date and time of an event. Each device has a unique ID encoded within it to identify individual users. When the user connects the device to a PC (via USB) or recharging rack at the end of their shift, the data automatically uploads to an online reporting system. Data Transfer Software downloaded from the BACK-TRACK website is required to upload the collected data.

Review: The Reports

BACK-TRACK's comprehensive reports turn the raw data collected into something useful and easily understandable for employers. These are accessed by logging into the BACK-TRACK website from any web enabled browser (including even iPhones, etc), selecting the period of interest, department etc and requesting the report. Within about 5 seconds, the report is generated as a PDF which can be saved, printed, emailed etc.

A number of reports are available but typically a Summary Report is run showing a Management Summary page ranking all selected users from highest to lowest activations per hour. A red, amber, green colour coding system is then used to identify the upper 5th and upper 10th percentiles (for Activations / Hr). Five further graphs show relevant information, including total number of activations per day, activations per hour, and the number of hours worn. Finally, an overall trend by month report is shown for the selected group. An example of this report is available here.

An Individual Detail Data report is also available for detailed analysis and review. For the first month or two, feedback would be provided to all users, but then, feedback and specific 1:1 dialogue takes place with the upper 5th and 10th percentiles only.

Feedback: 1-on-1 Conversations

After the review stage comes the feedback stage. This VITAL stage involves management discussions with individual employees shown to be at a higher potential risk of back injury. This is a positive feedback session and has been shown to promote engagement with employees. It can not be over emphasised the importance of this step and that it is conducted by front line managers / supervisors. With monthly 1:1 reviews with those at elevated risk, behaviour change will occur and risk will be reduced. This is our guarantee.

Pro-Intro users who are rotating the system through the organisation should do the 1:1 process on a weekly basis.

The 1:1 review process has also been conducted with small groups instead with great success as the team discuss solutions to simple task related issues.

Managers can record training notes from the 1:1 process to maintain a log for reference.