HSE engages mattress manufacturing industry in drive to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and ill health

HSE press release E068:05 - 18 May 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing its national initiative to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and ill health in mattress manufacturing and intends to engage the industry, through a partnership approach, at two free workshops next month.

The three-year initiative, which began with a pilot workshop in Taunton earlier this year, will continue with two free workshops at the ALC Conference Centre, Wapping Road, Bradford and Leicester Tigers Rugby Football Ground, Welford Road, Leicester on the 21 and 22 June 2005 respectively.

The workshops are supported by, and include a speaker from the main trade association, the National Bed Federation. Other speakers will describe the problem, potential strategies for minimising the risks, the insurance industry perspective and the rehabilitation of employees with musculoskeletal injuries. In addition the proposed partnership approach will be described and benchmark standards will be set for industry to achieve over the next three years.

Alan Scobbie, HSE inspector from the manufacturing sector said:

"By holding these workshops, HSE is looking to build on the success of the pilot event that was held in Taunton earlier this year and demonstrating its commitment to being a good partner to the industry. At the forthcoming events, we will highlight the risks and encourage the industry to work with us to develop and implement the often-simple solutions that reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury and ill health.

Historically 50% of all accidents in the industry involve injuries or ill health caused during lifting, carrying and moving mattresses, or are associated with the repetitive work involved in mattress manufacture, including tape edging and tufting. Working together, we feel that we can make significant progress to reduce the number of workers who suffer this type of injury or illness each year."

Notes to editors

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain affecting 1.1 million people a year. Further information on MSDs can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/index.htm

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