The use of lumbar spine imaging to determine fitness for work in asymptomatic workers who perform manual lifting.

In occupational medicine, evidence-based practices are essential for assessing the accuracy, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of any technologies used in health programs. This opinion article reflects on the use of imaging tests to screen for workers at risk of low back pain disability and to recommend avoiding tasks that involve high biomechanical risk. The limitations of such testing are discussed through basic epidemiological concepts and evidence collected from systematic reviews.

ANAMT Technical Guideline (DT 05): prevention of occupational low back pain through back belts, lumbar support or braces.

Background: Low back pain is a considerable global public health problem. Use of back belts in occupational settings arises from the expectation of countless biomechanical benefits, which together would contribute to the prevention of this problem.

Objective: To orient students, physicians and health institutions on the use of back belts, lumbar support or braces for prevention of low back pain or injury among asymptomatic workers.

ANAMT Technical Guideline (DT 07): epidemiological mapping and preventive interventions against workplace violence.

Workplace violence has potentially high prevalence, in addition to positive correlation with risk of physical and mental disorders, absenteeism, high turnover rates, impaired productivity and poorer organizational climate. Workplace violence is embedded in the work routine, while its manifestations are heterogeneous and vary according to the local culture, work activities and organization. The scientific evidence for the efficacy of interventions to reduce the prevalence of violent incidents is insufficient to ground general recommendations applicable to any occupational activity.

Depression in the workplace: screening and treatment.

The Guidelines Project, an initiative of the Brazilian Medical Association, aims to combine information from the medical field in order to standardize producers to assist the reasoning and decision-making of doctors. The information provided through this project must be assessed and criticized by the physician responsible for the conduct that will be adopted, depending on the conditions and the clinical status of each patient.