Europe Gets Its Back Up Over Survey Findings

Work-related low back disorders will affect between 60 and 90 per cent of people during their working life, according to a new European Agency report. Up to 42 per cent of workers may be suffering at any one time.

Although more than 60 per cent of workers recover within 6 weeks, the consequences are a significant loss in work time and a reoccurrence rate of between 20 and 44 per cent.

Workers in all employment sectors are affected, including construction and agricultural workers, nursing staff and cleaners.

The report, Work Related Low Back Disorders, covers both low back pain and low back injuries, which are significant and increasing problems in Europe. It identifies key findings on prevalence, origin, work-related risk factors and effective prevention strategies for low back disorders.

It sets out a number of recommended workplace prevention strategies, which include: reduction of physical demands; improvements in work organisation; education and training; medical treatment and rehabilitation; and cognitive and behavioural strategies.

The Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Mr Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, said: "Low back disorders are one of the main sources of work-related ill health in Europe. This report shows that there is both the scope and the need for prevention. Musculo-skeletal disorders can and must be prevented, and this the key message of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work."

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