Better Backs Campaign

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Why is back pain a problem at work?

2 million people in GB suffered work related ill health in 2004/5
Back pain is one of the biggest causes of work related ill health in GB
Around 45% of Musculoskeletal Disorders involve the back
1 in every 6 days lost at work were due to back pain
Accounting for 4.9 million working days lost in 2003/4
Average time off per person is 19 days

Its not just about the money, the human cost of back pain has a significant impact on the social and working lives of persons suffering from the problem.

How are we trying to reduce the problem?

The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities, including Forest Heath District Council are conducting a ‘Better Backs Campaign’ which aims to prevent new cases of back pain through sensible work precautions.

The Campaign is running for the second year of a three year period coordinated by the HSE. Better Backs will include workplace inspections, mass media advertising and events.

The online home of the better backs campaign can be reached at http://www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk/ .

I suffer with back pain – What do I need to do?

Not all back pain is preventable, so we have to do more to limit the effects of back pain, which includes staying active (continuing to do normal things – not taking strenuous exercise). Staying active is a good remedy for most cases of back pain, which is best for everyone in the workplace. This advice applies to everyone not just people in ‘high risk’ occupations.

Remember:

“Whatever your job, look after your back!”

Why stay active?

Contrary to popular belief resting can in fact make back pain worse. The back is designed to be able to move, and resting will only weaken the muscles of the back. In order to prevent pain, try taking simple pain killers. Regular physical activity will help you to recover. Be positive and get on with your life. Studies have shown that:

Most spells of back pain get better on their own.
Its bad to stay in bed;
The best treatment is to stay active
Its important to carry on with normal activities, including getting back to work
Getting miserable about it only makes things worse

Remember:

“Don’t take back pain lying down, stay active!”

What do I need to do as the employer?

There is no requirement by the law to rehabilitate absent employees. However the law does require:

Duties under the health and Safety at Work Act to control risks to individuals who have returned to work with continuing poor health.

Also the Disability Act could apply with reasonable adjustments required to enable disabled people to keep working.

It therefore makes business sense to rehabilitate absent employees and good sense for the individuals employed.

Managing sickness absence and return to work

Current HSE guidance reflects the following six element approach:

Recording sickness absence
Keeping in contact with sick employees
Planning and undertaking workplace adjustments - in order to accommodate and assist sick employees returning to work
Making use of professional or other advice and treatment
Agreeing and reviewing a return to work plan
Coordinating the return to work process

For further help and advice visit the managing sickness and absence website.

Workplace Health Connect can also provide help and advice on managing sickness absence and return to work. The problem solving service operates in 5 regions, namely:

Greater London
North East
North West
South Wales
West Midlands

Call the national advice line for further information: 0845 609 6006, or follow the link for more information on Workplace Health Connect.

Managing the risks from manual handling

Take the following seven steps in order to manage the risks from manual handling effectively:

1. Identify the problem and agree to act

Do managers recognise there is a manual handling problem?
Are the necessary skills, time and money available to manage them?

2. Involve the right people

Are workers involved?

3. Assess the risks

Are workers at risk of back pain and injury?
Are risk factors present e.g. frequent heavy lifting?
Where do you need to act?

4. Avoid/reduce the risks

Have the risks been prevented or reduced? e.g. by using handling aids
Do the solutions work, or have they created new problems?
Can other improvements be made?

5. Train and inform

Do managers and workers need more training and information to carry out their part?

6. Managing back pain:

Are workers able to report back pain early?
Are there systems for reviewing work activities, managing sickness absence and return to work?

7. Carry out regular checks

Are steps 1 – 6 regularly reviewed to check effective management of risk?

Assessing and reducing the risk of manual handling

The regulations require you to assess the risks from manual handling.
When making a manual handling assessment consider these elements:

T ask

I ndividual

L oad

E nvironment

Tasks - Do they involve:	Reducing the risk - Can you:
Holding loads away from the body? Twisting and stooping or reaching upwards? Large vertical movement? Long carrying distances? Strenuous pushing or pulling? Repetitive handling? Insufficient rest or recovery time? A work rate imposed by a process?	Use the lifting aid? Improve workplace layout to improve efficiency? Reduce the amount of twisting and stooping? Avoid lifting from the floor level or above shoulder height? Push rather than pull? Reduce carrying distances?
Individual - Does the job:	Can you:
Require unusual capability? Endanger those with a special problem? e.g. disability Endanger pregnant women? Require special training?	Pay attention to those with physical weakness? Take extra care of pregnant workers? Provide training? Provide information?
Load - Are they:	Can you make the load:
Heavy, bulky or unwieldy? Difficult to grasp? Unstable or likely to move unpredictably? (like animals) Harmful? e.g. sharp? Awkwardly stacked? Too large for the handler to see over?	Lighter or less bulky? Easier to grasp? More stable? Less damaging to hold?
Environment - are there:	Can you:
Constraints or posture Bumpy, obstructed or slippery floors? Variations in levels? Hot/cold/humid conditions? Poor lighting conditions? Restrictions on movements?	Remove obstructions to free movement? Provide better flooring? Avoid steps and steep ramps? Ensure your employees clothing is suitable for their work?