HSE board member advises businesses on back pain

Date:

29 September 2009

Release No:

E088:09

Back pain shouldn't hold you back from work, was HSE board member Professor Sayeed Khan's key message at this year's National Back Exchange Conference in Leicester (28 September).

In his presentation entitled "Getting work to work for you", Professor Khan said that though back disorders are the most common form of occupational ill health in the UK, staying active and returning to work can be part of the recovery and may even help reduce the risk of long-term incapacity.

He stressed, however, that this was only possible with senior management commitment and with sufferers actively involved in any changes needed to the workplace or their work pattern.

Professor Khan, who is chief medical adviser for EEF, also stressed that prevention is always better than cure, with early interventions saving businesses time and money in the long-run and helping to reduce the estimated 4.1 million working days lost to back pain every year:

"HSE's mission is the prevention of death, injury and ill-health in Great Britain's workplaces and our new strategy sets a fresh direction. It calls for strong leadership, with everyone from directors to employees playing their part."

"Health and safety is not just a matter for traditional industries with long-standing risks, but also for new, emerging sectors and small businesses. What is important is a common sense, practical approach to health and safety. We want to give people the confidence to exercise their judgement."

"Ergonomic solutions to workplace design can help prevent back injuries, stop existing conditions being exacerbated and help sufferers feel more comfortable. They can also improve conditions for everyone. Rethinking a process, system or a workplace to make it easier for somebody returning to work may improve efficiency and conditions for the rest of the team."

For more information on back pain for both employers and employees visit www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain

Notes to editors

1. HSE's mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health in Britain's workplaces. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
2. The new strategy 'The Health and Safety of Great Britain: Be part of the solution' was launched in June 2009, designed to reduce the number of workplace accidents and take a common sense approach to ensuring that risk management is an enabler for business not a burden. It can be viewed at www.hse.gov.uk/strategy
3. From this month (September 2009), around 250 of HSE's previously paid for publications, containing health and safety advice and guidance, will be freely available via the HSE website. For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/news/2009/free-guidance
4. For more information on the National Back Exchange visit www.nationalbackexchange.org

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