ABSTRACT
Low back disorders (LBDs) are among the most commonly reported injuries. Reisbord and Greenland
(1985) found that 18% of adults over age 25 annually report having frequent back pain. In occupational
settings, Andersson (1997) reported that LBDs affect an estimated 80% of the population during their
working career, and The National Center for Health Statistics (1977) has documented that LBDs are
the prime reason for activity limitation in those 45 yr of age or younger. Guo et al. (1999) estimated
that back pain accounts for 149 million lost workdays in the U.S. annually; 68% of these are associated
specifically with work-related back pain. Cats-Baril (1996) has shown that LBDs cost society up to 100
billion dollars annually. Despite the prevalence and cost of these injuries, there are relatively few accurate
methods available to predict the risk of occupationally related LBDs.