Back Pain
Any individual experiencing back pain in relation to work should inform their supervisor and the Occupational Health Service.
Any member of staff whose job it is to move, carry, lift, push or pull during work activities should undertake a manual handling course which can be arranged through the University Safety Office. Courses are offered at least once per term.
Information for sufferers of back pain
Most of us have back pain at some time. If treated correctly it can disappear within a matter of days or weeks. In most cases the back pain does not have an identifiable cause, is not due to anything serious and can be overcome by following simple advice.Find out when back pain is serious
Research now shows that rest does not help recovery. Trying to reduce the pain by avoiding all activity can lead to a much longer recovery time. It is much better to continue normal levels of day-to-day activity, using simple pain relief if required. Manipulative treatment such as physiotherapy or osteopathy may help in some cases but are not necessarily any better than simple exercise such as walking for example. In particular, having a painful back need not necessarily stop anyone from attending work. In fact, the longer someone is absent from work because of back pain the less likely they are to ever return. A gradual return to work, with modified tasks often improves recovery.
What can an employer do to help an employee with back pain?
Be positive and helpful in removing obstacles to their recovery. Provide modified work and support reasonable early return to work arrangements. Manual handling duties should be limited initially to safe, ‘lower weight’ tasks (less than 15kg) avoiding any stooping or twisting.
Make sure they have the right information and advice on coping with back pain and leading a normal life. One way to do this is to point them to this site or provide them with a copy of an information booklet such as The Back Book (available from the Occupational Health Service).
Reassure them that you are concerned about them and want to help. Ask what they are finding difficult within the job. This may give you a chance to make jobs less physically demanding as a temporary measure in order to help them stay at work or return to work quickly.
If they have seen their doctor, inform them you are willing to work with them to support any treatment that has been recommended. If they are off work it is important to keep in touch. Discuss whether modified work or a gradual build-up to normal duties will assist them in returning to work. You may want to discuss possible modifications with the Occupational Health Service.
Most workers should be able to return to some form of work within a two week period. If an employee has not been able to return by that point they should be referred to the Occupational Health Service.