Back Care At Work

Back Pain

About 9.3 million working days were lost due to work-related back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders in 2008/9. The main causes of it are poor posture or an awkward twisting movement (bending or reaching), or a combination of the two.
In most cases, the best treatment is to stay active and, if necessary, use over-the-counter painkillers. You may feel like going to bed, but this won’t help and could make things worse. The longer you stay immobile, the weaker your back muscles will become and the more they'll hurt in the long term. For tips on keeping a healthy back,  read more HERE



Sitting

If you spend a lot of your time at work sitting at a desk, make sure you're sitting in the right position in relation to your computer. If you're unsure about correct posture, ask your line manager for a workplace assessment.
If you work on a computer a lot, it's important to take regular breaks. That means for every hour at your keyboard you should rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes.


Lifting

One of the biggest causes of back injury, especially at work, is lifting or handling objects incorrectly. Learning and following the correct method for lifting and handling objects can help prevent back pain.

Here are some key points to lift safely:

• Think before you lift.
• Start in a good position.
• Keep the load close to your waist.
• Avoid twisting your back or leaning sideways.
• Keep your head up.
• Know your limits.
• Push, don't pull.
• Distribute the weight evenly.

For more information on correct lifting techniques and safe manual handling, read our guide to lifting safely.HERE

Back Pain At Work

Back pain is the second most common cause of long-term sickness in the UK after stress.
About 9.3 million working days were lost due to work-related back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders in 2008/09.
The most common causes of back pain are strained muscles or ligaments, wear and tear, bad posture and stress.
Most of us will have back pain at some point in our lives. Although painful, back pain isn't serious in most cases. The pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It usually clears up after about six weeks.

Treating back pain

In general, the best treatment is to stay active and, if necessary, use over-the-counter painkillers. You may feel like going to bed, but this won’t help and could make it worse.
The longer you're immobile, the weaker your back muscles will become, and the more they will hurt in the long term.
The best ways to deal with pain and help your back to recover are to maintain your mobility, based on your usual activities, and return to work as soon as possible.
Any exercise that strengthens your legs, back and stomach will help to keep your back healthy. Read exercises for back pain for more information.

At your desk

Sitting badly in front of a computer for hours on end is storing up trouble. The body can tolerate being in one position for only a short period of time before you feel the need to adjust.
Workstation factors that can affect your back include:

• seating posture
• computer screen position
• chair height
• keyboard position
• mouse position
• desk equipment layout

If you work in an office and use a computer, you can avoid injury by sitting in the right position and arranging your desk correctly. Get tips on how to sit correctly.
If you're not sure about your seating position and workstation, ask your manager to arrange a workplace assessment for you.
Good posture when sitting at a desk can help prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI), which is a cause of back pain. Sit up straight and make sure that your lower back is supported.

Adjusting your chair

By law, workstation chairs must be stable. The standard office chair has five legs in a star shape.
The seat height must be adjustable, and the back rest must be adjustable in height and tilt. Ideally, the back rest should move independently of the seat to allow for a more comfortable position.
When you’re sitting, your thighs should be at right-angles to your body or sloping slightly down.
If your chair is properly adjusted, your feet should be firmly on the floor, but if it’s more comfortable, use a footrest. The basic rule is to plant your feet on the floor and support your back.


Take regular breaks

Don’t sit in the same position for long periods. Make sure you change your posture as often as is practicable.
Frequent short breaks are better for your back than fewer long ones. It gives the muscles a chance to relax while others take the strain. This can prevent you from becoming stiff and tense.
Most jobs provide opportunities to take a break from the screen, e.g. getting a drink, going for some fresh air, filing or photocopying.

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