back pain

Back pain is one of the most common causes of absence from work. Lifting and other 'manual handling' are the most obvious ways of hurting your back at work, but long hours at a computer or at the wheel of a car can also cause strain or injury.

• I hurt my back at work. What should I do about it?  more...
• What are the symptoms of back strain?  more...
• What can cause back pain?  more...
• What are my employer's responsibilities to prevent me hurting my back at work?  more...
• I sit down a lot at work. How can I avoid back pain or injury?  more...
• I do a lot of lifting and carrying. How can I do it safely?  more...
• I drive a lot. How can I protect my back?  more...
• How can I treat back pain?  more...
• Can stretching help my back?  more...
• My back hurts, where can I get help?  more...
• What will my GP do about my back?  more...
• What about returning to work?  more...
• What are my employer's responsibilities in preventing back injury?  more...
• Are there special regulations for women in manual handling?  more...
• What if I injure my back and lose my job?  more...
• Where can I get legal advice?  more...
• Is back pain a big problem at work?  more...
• Who is at risk of work-related back pain?  more...

further information

The Health and Safety Executive has information and advice on back pain and manual handling, including advice for employers, in the musculoskeletal disorders section of its website. hse.gov.uk/msd

The TUC’s Manual handling pages feature news and links to union resources, including the Manual Handling chapter of TUC’s Hazards at work guide. tuc.org.uk/h_and_s

Hazards magazine’s 'Tackling work’s strains and pains' web pages include news, resources and guides. hazards.org/strains

BackCare is a charity which provides advice on preventing and dealing with back pain. Helpline: 0845 130 2704 backcare.org.uk

Manual Handling: GMB safety rep's guide, Home Care Staff: Health and safety and Working Well Together: Health and safety for women, are available from GMB Publications, Health and safety unit. Tel: 020 8947 3131, or can be viewed on the GMB website by searching in the publications archive. gmb.org.uk

The ATL union has a useful guide to lifting and carrying in the health and safety section of its website. atl.org.uk

Do You Suffer from Aches and Pains in Silence? leaflet is available from Unite regional offices, or online in the health and safety section of the Unite website unitetheunion.com

Pain at work - an LRD guide to musculoskeletal disorders, 2004 is available from LRD, price: £4.50, tel: 0207 928 3649, or online to subscribers at www.lrd.org.uk.

Understanding Back Pain, 2000, Professor Malcolm Jayson, in the British Medical Association Family Doctor series, available from pharmacists, supermarkets or direct from Family Doctor Publications, tel: 01295 276627, price £3.50.

The No-Nonsense Guide to a Healthy Back, 2000, Gary Trainer and Tania Alexander, Fingertips Press, tel: 020 7224 1750, price £4.99.