Back Pain in the Workplace

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain, affecting 1.0 million people a year.

They include problems such as low back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries of various sorts.

The most up to date figures show that MSDs cost society £5.7 billion.
(1995/1996 figures: Health & Safety Executive)

The main causes of MSDs

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) affect muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. They are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain.

According to the HSE, the risk factors for musculo-skeletal disorders can be found in virtually every workplace. An estimated 11.8 million working days per year are lost to them.
Hazardous activities include:

The majority of MSDs are related to back pain. Most people will experience back pain at some stage in their life, usually this is non-serious and will settle relatively quickly.

It is estimated that 5.7 million working days were lost primarily due to back pain in 2001/02. Each sufferer, on average, taking off 17.8 days per year.

How can MSDs be prevented?

Although very common, MSDs can usually be eliminated or prevented by using a commonsense approach and assessing the risks in the workplace.

What is the correct lifting technique?

There is no single correct way to lift. The content of any training in good handling technique should be tailored to the particular situation or individual circumstances under which the manual handling takes place. However HSE has published guidance including a list that illustrates some important points which are relevant to a two handed symmetrical lift, i.e. a lift using both hands that takes place in front of the body.

This list is contained in a free leaflet ' Getting to grips with Manual Handling: A short guide for employers' which is available on the HSE website. We have reproduced it here for your convenience.

Full details of the range of factors that need to be taken in to account when assessing the risks from manual handling and the steps that need to be taken to control those risks are set out in 'Manual Handling - Manual Handling Operations at Work Regulations 1992' - Guidance on the Regulations (2004 revision) which is available from HSE Books price £8.95.

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