COI 608/W/08 27 October 2008

Your back is in your hands: HSE gives practical advice on preventing and managing back pain at mid Wales event

Back disorders are the most common form of occupational ill health experienced in Britain, and employers from across Wales were in Llandrindod Wells to get practical advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Powys County Council on preventing and managing back pain amongst their employees.

Back pain can mean misery for sufferers, and can impact on the number of working days lost by businesses in Wales. The seminar offered practical advice from HSE, as well as demonstrations from Powys County Council, and land-based sector skills council Lantra.

HSE’s Ergonomist Simon Monnington visits companies across Wales and offers guidance on health and safety and systems to employers. He said: "Many of the problems I see on daily basis can often be addressed through simple measures and proper assessment of risk.

"Employers need to sort out the problems that have the most impact first, and it is vital to ensure that they work with the employees to arrive at solutions, as well as monitoring how well these work in practice.

HSE is supporting the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Backs campaign.

Recent medical evidence shows that the best route to recovery for people with back pain is to stay active and lead as normal a life as possible, rather than seek bed rest.

Notes to Editors

• Welsh Backs is part of Health Challenge Wales, the national focus of efforts to improve health and well-being and was launched by Dr. Brian Gibbons, AM for Health and Social Services in October 2006.
• Picture caption: Expert advice – HSE Ergonomist Simon Monnington and HSE inspector Barbara Francis were on hand to give advice to businesses across Wales who attended the Welsh Backs event in Llandrindod Wells.
• Public enquiries: Call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 0845 345 0055
• HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales. Media enquiries: 0844 800 6823.