BACKGROUND: The present study aims to determine the time spent in different 
static trunk postures during a typical working day of workers in a special 
school for the severe handicaps.
METHODS: Eighteen workers with low back pain (LBP) and fifteen asymptomatic 
workers were recruited. A cross-sectional design was employed to study the time 
spent in different static trunk postures which was recorded by a biaxial 
accelerometer attached to the T12 level of the back of the subjects.
RESULTS: The results of ANCOVA revealed that subjects with LBP spent 
significantly longer percentage of time in static trunk posture when compared to 
normal (p < 0.05). It was also shown that they spent significantly longer time 
in trunk flexion for more than 10 degrees (p < 0.0125).
CONCLUSION: An innovative method has been developed for continuous tracking of 
spinal posture, and this has potential for widespread applications in the 
workplace. The findings of the present investigation suggest that teachers in 
special schools are at increased risk of getting LBP. In order to minimise such 
risk, frequent postural change and awareness of work posture are recommended.