In 1877, Massachusetts passed the Nation's first factory inspection law. It required guarding of belts, shafts, and gears, protection on elevators, and adequate fire exits. Its passage prompted a flurry of State factory acts.
These muscles can cause pain in the right upper back after injuries, such as a muscle strain or bruise from a car accident or fall. Overuse from work or recreational activities, such as painting or playing racket sports, might also be to blame -- especially for people who are right handed.
Chronic pain on the right side of the body may indicate appendicitis or gallstones, according to Mayo Clinic. The pain of appendicitis begins on the lower right side and is often severe. It can also begin around the patient's navel and move to the lower right abdomen.