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.
The most common culprits of severe pain on the right side are gallbladder issues, which would be felt in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, and appendicitis, which is felt in the lower right quadrant. Both of these warrant immediate medical attention.