In spite of anecdotal claims, no evidence has so far been found to support the claim that wearing back belts improves one's back safety. In response to the substantial increase in the number of workers who rely on back belts to prevent injury from lifting, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States formed the Back Belt Working Group to review and evaluate the existing data related to back belts. Their final conclusions are:

• back belts should not be considered as personal protective equipment;
• back belts should not be recommended for use in occupational situations.

The NIOSH groups' concerns which led to such conclusions were:

• the use of back belts may produce some strain on the cardiovascular system;
• the use of back belts limits mobility and may reduce the suppleness and elasticity of muscles and tendons, potentially contributing to back injury;
• the use of back belts may create a false sense of security, increasing the risk of lifting excessive loads.

With these recommendations in mind, the Ontario Ministry of Labour issued "Health and Safety Guidelines - Weight lifting or lumbar support belts in manual materials handling work" that warns users and potential users of any kind of back belts about the potential health risks that could result from wearing these devices.