Business loses 4.9 million days a year to work-related back pain

British business loses an estimated 4.9 million days to employee absenteeism through work-related back conditions each year

With each affected employee taking an average of 19 days off work, according to the latest figures from the 2003/4 Labour Force Survey.

The charity BackCare meanwhile estimates the overall cost of back pain - to the NHS, business and the economy - at £5 billion per year.

Against this background the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is launching its 'Better Backs' campaign on 6th June. The campaign will offer concise, practical tips on how to avoid back-related injuries in the workplace to both businesses and employees via a dedicated microsite " HSE Betterbacks "

Visiting the North East today Lord Hunt, Work and Pensions Minister said:

“Occupational ill health and injury accounts for 40 million working days lost with back pain alone accounting for 4.9 million. The effects on those business and individuals is almost incalculable. Its not only impacting on business’ profits its affecting productivity and stopping employees’ enjoying their social life.

Everyone needs to take responsibility for tackling this issue – and by taking simple, sensible precautions in work and at home we can collectively work to reduce the misery of back pain.”

The prevalence of work-related back conditions is fairly even across the countries and regions of Great Britain, with around one person in every hundred affected. Only the North East has a clearly higher rate, perhaps due to its history of coalmining and other heavy industry.