|
7 February 2005 - Back Week Imminent in
North Hertfordshire and Stevenage
Navigation
Preparations are being made for businesses, schools and
community organisations within Hertfordshire and Stevenage to have their say
when a special Back Week commences on 13 June 2005.
Some of the activities in Back Week will include the following:
-
A Safety and Health Awareness Day for small and medium-sized
businesses.
-
School visits to talk to students about carrying heavy bags and
newspaper deliveries.
-
Manual handling seminars for home carers and workers.
-
Targeted inspections by Stevenage Borough Council, North Herts
District Council and HSE, focusing on moving and handling.
Back injuries in the workplace are very costly for the economy,
NHS and businesses, to the extent of an estimated £5 billion each year.
This figure includes sickness benefits paid and working days lost through back
injuries.
Raising the awareness of preventing back injury within the
workplace, is supported by trades unions, accident prevention groups, employers
and community representatives working together and raising awareness of injuries
incurred due to incorrect manual handling and bad posture.
A Stakeholder Day, organised by the North Hertfordshire and
Stevenage Accident Prevention Group, will take place on Thursday 10 February
2005, hosted by GlaxoSmithKline in Stevenage, with the aim of encouraging other
key organisations to consider the following:
-
Running training courses for their employees.
-
Introducing new ways of working or new handling equipment.
-
Examining their accident history and risk assessments and
develop a risk reduction plan.
-
Sponsor a poster competition for school children.
Assistant Director of Public Health at North Hertfordshire and
Stevenage PCT and Chair of the Accident Prevention Group commented:
"We want as many people and organisations as possible to help
us raise awareness of back pain and what can be done to avoid it. We are
inviting local companies, trades union representatives and other interested
organisations to meet us at the stakeholder engagement event to hear more about
the issue and to work with us to develop more activities to be held during Backs
Week."
A Representative from the Health and Safety Executive also
commented of the event:
"Every year the HSE and local authorities receive thousands
of reports of accidents, when someone has injured their back at work while
lifting or handling - most of these accidents could have been avoided. The
result of just one accident like this, particularly if the injury is not treated
effectively soon afterwards, can be permanent disability, long term pain and/or
an inability to continue working.
"Simple safety measures could prevent so many accidents in
the workplace and save both the employer and employee a lot of pain and
expense."
For anyone wishing to attend the event or for further
information, please contact the Health and Safety Executive on 01582-444-200.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
|
