A free event as part of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) national initiative, Better Backs, has been organised by the HSE and South Kesteven District Council. The event will take place on Tuesday 17 October from 8.00am at Jacksons Builders Merchants, South Parade, Grantham.
The event aims to encourage workers and managers of construction businesses in Lincolnshire to be aware of risky manual handling, how to reduce it, how to help people with bad backs get back to work, and further information on the best way to prevent back pain.
Samantha Peace, HSE Principal Inspector commented:
"I am delighted that Jackson's Builders Merchants are supporting local business and I would encourage any small and medium sized businesses in the construction industry to take up this offer of free information and advice in an informal setting.
"It's estimated that around 34,000 people across the East Midlands currently suffer from back pain caused or made worse by work, but many are suffering unnecessarily, or even making their condition worse.
"This event will give employers the chance to find out how to work together with their employees to manage the risks and overcome the impact of back pain on individuals and businesses, provide information on simple, cost-effective solutions to reduce the risk of back pain, as well as advice about rehabilitation and managing return to work."
Quick facts on back pain:
- Back pain will affect 80% of us at some point in our lives.
- One in six working days lost in the UK is due to back pain.
- In 2004/05 an estimated 452 000 people in Great Britain suffered, in their opinion, from a musculoskeletal disorder mainly affecting the back that was caused or made worse by their current or past work.
- It is estimated that 4.5 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in the previous 12 months due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders which mainly affected the back. Each person suffering from such a condition took an estimated 17.4 days off work on average in this period.
- The charity BackCare estimates that back pain costs the NHS, business and the economy over £5 billion a year.
- It is estimated that 34,000 people across the East Midlands currently suffer from back pain caused or made worse by work.
- Most of us have back pain at some time. Usually the pain is not due to anything serious. If treated correctly it can disappear within a matter of days or weeks. Those who experience severe pain, those worried about their back pain or those for whom the pain persists or suddenly gets worse, should see a doctor. When the back is painful, activity may be limited for a short time but that does not necessarily mean that continuing to stay active, or at work, will do any harm.
- In the past, the accepted response to back pain was bed rest. Evidence now shows that rest does not help recovery.
- Trying to reduce the pain by avoiding activity can lead to a much longer recovery time and possibly long-term back pain. It is much better to keep to normal levels of day-to-day activity.
