Work accident news
09/10/2007

HSE call for MSD campaign

The Health and Safety Executive has launched a campaign to try and reduce the number of back injuries that occur as a result of work accidents.

Concern was raised after some disturbing statistics were discovered. During 2005/2006 a total of 190,000 people reported having a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) at some time over the preceding 12 months.

More than one million people at any one time will be suffering from an MSD such as a back injury. Can you picture just how many people this personal injury affects? Imagine enough people to fill the new Wembley Stadium 11 times over and you will be about there.

Whether through a work accident or recreational activity, each of us has a massive 80% chance of developing lower back pain at some point and the average worker spends 17 days a year off sick as a result of a MSD of some kind, amounting to around 10 million days being lost.

This is costing employers an estimated £600m each year, so for the sake of employees' health and employers' businesses it is worth making a solid attempt to minimise work accidents that could cause personal injury.

Building on last year's campaign, which focussed on reducing the incidence of back pain either suffered as a result of a work accident or aggravated by work, this year will focus specifically on the prevention of manual handling and upper limb disorders in the workplace.

As not all MSDs can be prevented, the campaign also encourages employers and employees alike to take actions that help workers with MSDs to stay in work or return to work.

By the introduction of this campaign, the HSE is urging businesses, professional bodies, trade unions and employees' representatives and trade associations as well as the voluntary sector to take accountability and help keep work accidents and resulting back injuries at bay.

To find out more about or sign up for the Better Backs campaign visit www.hse.gov.uk.