Back pain is a common issue that can significantly impact employee wellbeing and productivity. As an employer, you have the opportunity to create a supportive environment that prioritises back health. Here, Rob Tuttey, Director of Employee Safety, Bupa UK, shares ten tips to help you support your people and care for their backs.
Start by conducting a thorough risk assessment of tasks that may contribute to back pain within your workplace. Common causes include heavy lifting, awkward twisting, and prolonged sitting. It’s essential to identify specific activities that place excessive strain on employees’ backs, like repetitive tasks or pushing and pulling objects across long distances, or across uneven surfaces.
Once you’ve identified these tasks, evaluate whether they can be avoided altogether or modified to reduce risk. For instance, consider redesigning workflows to minimise physical strain. This could involve reorganising the layout of workspaces to ensure that frequently used items are easily accessible, which should help to reduce the need for awkward movements or excessive reaching.
Ensure all your employees whose duties may include lifting, pushing or pulling heavy items are fully trained on how to handle heavy loads correctly. Also ensure they’re made aware of the risks to which they may be exposed to, such as back problems. Doing some form of gentle warm up before the activity may help to prevent injury.
Focus on these three key principles that employees should follow:
Whether your team is desk based or not, encourage hourly short breaks to stretch and move around. Sitting down for long periods of time can lead to musculoskeletal injuries – even when doing relatively light activities like lifting and twisting.
These brief intervals are necessary for promoting healthy movement and flow around the body, and can significantly alleviate tension in the muscles, particularly in the back. Simple activities such as walking or stretching during these breaks can enhance circulation, which is beneficial for overall back health and can help prevent discomfort.
To make this fun, you could organise a step challenge among colleagues. A bit of friendly competition may motivate employees to be more active. This can also create connections and teamwork.
Speak to your team about the benefits of moving for fun during their working weeks. Whether it’s some squats in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, or a quick walk before work, on a lunchbreak or once you’ve clocked off, moving for fun can be a great way to introduce movement and signal when your workday starts and ends.
If most of your workplace is desk-based or employees work from home regularly, in addition to taking regular breaks from their workstation, think about incorporating standing desks or sit/stand desks to allow the option of working in a different position from time to time.
For those working remotely, you could suggest placing their laptop on a riser, at a comfortable height, to avoid any straining to their backs. Suggesting walking meetings may also help to reduce time spent at desks, and to break up the working day.
Give employees the opportunity to vary their workplace activities with appropriate equipment for each task. For example, vary between reviewing, meeting, data input and reports. Incorporate this with regular mini breaks to help to reduce bad posture or injury through repetitive activities.
Arrange the workplace so that equipment is easily accessible but not overly close. This is key for seated workers. Position frequently used items closer to avoid straining to reach them and keep desks free of clutter.
If your work environment is mostly desk and workstation based, ensure keyboards and mice are positioned at a height that allows for a neutral wrist position. Encourage employees to keep their elbows close to their bodies and wrists straight while typing or using the mouse. Consider using ergonomic keyboards and mice designed to reduce strain. This equipment promotes movement while minimising strains.
Make sure under desk space is large enough to accommodate employees’ legs comfortably and safely.
If your business provides uniforms, opt for clothing that is not only comfortable but also allows for ease of movement for each season, particularly to help prevent back strain and excessive sweating. Choose well-fitting garments tailored to individual needs and made from breathable materials. This can significantly reduce discomfort during long hours of skilled work, where maintaining proper posture and flexibility is essential for protecting against back issues.
Some employees may not be open and tell you they are suffering with a back issue so be wary of signs that your employees may be experiencing back pain, such as when they are trying to avoid certain tasks or if you notice changes in posture and movement. If you see these signs, it may indicate that existing controls are ineffective and need reassessment.
Introduce regular one-to-one meetings with employees if you don’t already have them, so health and wellbeing can be discussed and monitored. This helps to normalise the health and safety conversation, making it easier for employees to raise concerns and solutions to be provided, sooner.
Create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their health concerns, including back pain. Encourage them to report any discomfort early on so that adjustments can be made promptly.
Lead by example to show that back health is something that you take seriously. As a manager, it’s your job to promote prevention and highlight and correct poor practice as and when it’s seen. For example, if you walk past something in the work environment that looks risky, don’t avoid it – report it and start the process of necessary changes.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive environment that minimises the risk of back pain among your employees. Not only will this lead to healthier employees, but it will also enhance productivity and morale within your organisation. If you notice employees suffering with back issues and affecting their ability to work well, it’s important to seek help from a health professional.
