Effects of work on health: Back pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

The construction industry has the highest rate of MSDs

Step 1. Make arrangements to prevent and manage Back Pain and MSDs :

What are they?

Conditions involving:

• muscles
• tendons
• ligaments
• joints
• nerves
• soft tissues

Physical demands of work including:

• manual materials handling,
• lifting,
• bending,

REMEMBER: thrusting and whole body vibration are linked to increased reports of back pain, aggravation of symptoms and “injuries”.

Step 2: Decide if there could be risks;

Work activities which could pose a risk of back pain:

• Bricklaying;
• Block laying;
• Tying Rebar;
• Handling pipework;
• Laying Kerbs and paving slabs;
• Moving and Installing plasterboard; and
• Installing M&E (Mechanical & Electrical Equipment) at height

Step 3: Decide what controls should be put on Place? Avoid, Substitute, Engineer, Train

• Can manual handling involving risk be avoided?
• Can tasks be mechanised or handling/lifting aids used?
• Can tasks be altered - to reduce the risk from twisting stretching or bending?
• Can loads be changed - to reduce weight or improve grip?
• Can the work area be improved to make room for handling?
• Have workers been trained in the use of equipment and safe handling?

Step 4 :  Put them in place and check that they are working

Dos and Don'ts

Dos

• Do stay as active as usual, if possible. But see your doctor if you are worried about the back pain or if the pain persists or suddenly gets worse.
• Do take simple pain relief to help with the pain.
• Do speak to your employer or your workers' representative, your safety representative or a trades union safety representative who can relay your issues to your employer and if necessary, discuss what can be done to help you stay at work.
• Do find out about back pain. A summary of good advice can be found in guidance booklets like

Dont's

• Don't take to your bed and wait for the pain to go away. The sooner you get back to normal activity the better.
• Don't worry. Back pain is rarely serious and unnecessary worry delays recovery.
• Don't avoid activity simply as a way of avoiding the pain - hurt does not always mean harm.