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Back Pain - Preventing Back Pain

Active work is good for your employees

Active work has a positive impact on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing. See employees section for benefits of active work.

The idea that manual handling or repetitive movements is ‘bad for employees’ is a myth. But it is true active work approached wrongly can sometimes contribute to health conditions like back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) such as muscular aches and strains.

What can I do to help protect employees?

As an employer you have legal obligations to provide safe and healthy workplaces for employees.

The physical demands of some tasks like manual handling, lifting, bending and driving heavy vehicles can trigger an episode or make an existing back pain worse.

Take steps to reduce the risk of back pain in the workplace.

You should:  

  • Provide information, training and supervision on safe ways to work
  • Carry out risk assessments conducted by trained assessors to minimise risks
  • Provide safe equipment to assist your employees in their duties
  • Consult regularly with the employees on their health and well being to help you identify concerns and developing trends
  • Take actions to address any outcomes from these discussions
  • Respond promptly when an individual employee reports back pain



Next: Practical solutions to prevent/minimise back pain

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