'Better Backs' for the waste and recycling industry

HSE press release E081:05 - 13 June 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is appealing to waste management and recycling industries to visit its 'Better Backs' micro site at www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk which offers practical tips on how to avoid back-related injuries in the workplace.

Back pain caused by manual handling particularly affects the waste management and recycling industries because of the type of work carried out. Back injuries accounted for 23% of all injuries sustained in the waste and recycling industry in 2002/03, but by promoting the use of lifting and handling aids through the 'Better Backs' campaign, HSE hopes to reduce the incidence of injuries of this nature.

Supporting the campaign, HSE's manufacturing sector is publishing conveyor belt sorting guidance on its website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis4.htm. Conveyor belt workstation design advises on the design of conveyor belt workstations to prevent the risk of musculoskeletal injury by avoiding the need for seated or standing operators to stoop excessively, twist, or over-reach whilst working. Although written for all industries, it has particular relevance to sorting activities at materials recycling facilities.

In addition HSE's Waste Management and Recycling team will be on hand at stand 102 at this week's Chartered Institute of Wastes Management annual conference and exhibition at Paignton in Devon. Visitors to the stand can find further information on reducing back injuries, including the key considerations in protecting your back at work:

• Assessing the risks;
• Choosing the right equipment;
• Designing the job properly;
• Good handling techniques; and
• Helping employees suffering back injuries return to a full and active life.

Notes to editors

1. Over 1.1 million people experience musculoskeletal disorders caused by work, with an estimated 12.3 million days lost annually. Back pain is a major cause of sickness absence from work. Nationally it is estimated that there are around half a million people with some form of back complaint caused by work.
2. A report by backcare, the forum of private business and the TUC suggested that back pain is a problem for almost two thirds (63%) of small businesses. They found one in five people working in small firms had back strain. The average small firm was said to be losing 22 days of work a year from back strain. Further information on cost of ill health to industry can be found on HSE's revitalising health and safety webpages at www.hse.gov.uk/costs/ill_health_costs/ill_health_costs_intro.asp
3. HSE's new conveyer belt sorting guidance has been published on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis4.htm. Further information on back pain can also be found at the website at www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain. Information specific to the waste management and recycling industries can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/waste/index.htm. HSE commissioned detailed analysis of accidents in the waste and recycling industries. Mapping Health and Safety Standards in the UK Waste Industry can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr240.pdf.
4. Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Annual Conference and Exhibition 2005 takes place on 14-16 June 2005 at Paignton in Devon. It is Europe's largest showcase for the wastes management industry. Further information can be found at www.iwm.co.uk.

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