Better Backs in Construction

1. Better Backs in Construction Speaker�s Name This presentation has been produced to support the Better Backs campaign as implemented in HSE�s Construction Division. � It is a joint HSE and local authority initiative (and so is jointly badged) � LACoRS (the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services) provides advice and guidance to help support local authority regulatory and related services. � � This presentation has been produced to support the Better Backs campaign as implemented in HSE�s Construction Division. � It is a joint HSE and local authority initiative (and so is jointly badged) � LACoRS (the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services) provides advice and guidance to help support local authority regulatory and related services. � �

2. More people are off work because of MSDs than any other type of work related ill health. One in 5 people with work related ill health suffer from back pain, accounting for 1 in 4 days lost, despite everyone�s best efforts to date.This is why we need to do something more and something different. We can�t tackle every MSD in one go, and most of the population don�t know what an MSD is, but everyone knows what a bad back is � and as bad backs are the biggest cause of MSD where better to start a three year campaign. More people are off work because of MSDs than any other type of work related ill health. One in 5 people with work related ill health suffer from back pain, accounting for 1 in 4 days lost, despite everyone�s best efforts to date.This is why we need to do something more and something different. We can�t tackle every MSD in one go, and most of the population don�t know what an MSD is, but everyone knows what a bad back is � and as bad backs are the biggest cause of MSD where better to start a three year campaign.

3. Has the highest rate of MSDs These are mostly back injuries from manual handling 56,000 Work Related MSD cases in construction per annum RIDDOR �handling� (to employees in 2004/2005) 38% of over 3 day injuries 15% of major injuries Construction Construction industry has the highest rate of MSDs. That is musculoskeletal disorders � conditions causing injury and pain to the muscles, bones, tendon, ligaments etc Most of these are bad backs. Figures self reported (SWI 04/05) and RIDDOR 04/05Construction industry has the highest rate of MSDs. That is musculoskeletal disorders � conditions causing injury and pain to the muscles, bones, tendon, ligaments etc Most of these are bad backs. Figures self reported (SWI 04/05) and RIDDOR 04/05

4. Better Backs The 3 year GB targets To reduce the number of new case of musculoskeletal disorder by 8% To reduce days lost from work related ill health by 9% The Better Backs campaign is in year 2 of a three year campaign HSE is coordinating. The initiative will contribute particularly to the reduction of Manual Handling incidents which will contribute to reduction in the incidence, the number of new cases, of MSDs which in turn shoule reduce the reduction in days lost. The Better Backs initiative aims to help prevent new cases of back pain through sensible workplace precautions. To do this it will promote good practices and the use of lifting aids. It also reflects that not all back pain is preventable � the medical profession tells us this very clearly, so we have to do more to limit the effects of back pain. Better Backs will also promote staying active with back pain as a very good therapy for most cases of back pain � and staying active at work is best for everyone. It will also encourage employers and employees to work together to help employees with back pain back to normal activities. The Better Backs campaign is in year 2 of a three year campaign HSE is coordinating. The initiative will contribute particularly to the reduction of Manual Handling incidents which will contribute to reduction in the incidence, the number of new cases, of MSDs which in turn shoule reduce the reduction in days lost. The Better Backs initiative aims to help prevent new cases of back pain through sensible workplace precautions. To do this it will promote good practices and the use of lifting aids. It also reflects that not all back pain is preventable � the medical profession tells us this very clearly, so we have to do more to limit the effects of back pain. Better Backs will also promote staying active with back pain as a very good therapy for most cases of back pain � and staying active at work is best for everyone. It will also encourage employers and employees to work together to help employees with back pain back to normal activities.

5. We know that to make the biggest impact and the greatest difference we cannot go it alone, it is only by everyone working together we can make the biggest difference. From the information received from accident reports and other sources we know there is still a long way to go in preventing back injuries and that in many cases simple practical precautions in the form of lifting and handling aids would make a big difference. Sometimes it is not about buying new equipment but by making sure equipment is maintained and people trained to use it properly, other times it might involve hiring in equipment for short term jobs rather than expecting individuals to struggle with manual handling.We know that to make the biggest impact and the greatest difference we cannot go it alone, it is only by everyone working together we can make the biggest difference. From the information received from accident reports and other sources we know there is still a long way to go in preventing back injuries and that in many cases simple practical precautions in the form of lifting and handling aids would make a big difference. Sometimes it is not about buying new equipment but by making sure equipment is maintained and people trained to use it properly, other times it might involve hiring in equipment for short term jobs rather than expecting individuals to struggle with manual handling.

6. Medical professionals agree that staying active with back pain/ if you suffer from back pain the best advice is to stay active. Evidence from around the world supports staying active and getting back to normal activities including work as soon as possible. That�s where sensible policies on sickness absence and return to work come in. The Better Backs campaign aims to raise awareness and change behaviour to make a difference. Medical professionals agree that staying active with back pain/ if you suffer from back pain the best advice is to stay active. Evidence from around the world supports staying active and getting back to normal activities including work as soon as possible. That�s where sensible policies on sickness absence and return to work come in. The Better Backs campaign aims to raise awareness and change behaviour to make a difference.

8. Further information on what various dutyholders can do under Construction (Design and management) Regulations 1994 can be found in a separate presentation. Further information on what various dutyholders can do under Construction (Design and management) Regulations 1994 can be found in a separate presentation.

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10. Ask these questions There are a number of ways that we can deal with manual handling risk � where reasonably practicable it should be avoided. Where this cannot be done then it should be controlled. Control can be achieved in a number of ways � handling aids used, tasks altered, loads changed to reduce weight or improve the grip, the work area improved to make room for the handling and finally workers can be trained. There are a number of ways that we can deal with manual handling risk � where reasonably practicable it should be avoided. Where this cannot be done then it should be controlled. Control can be achieved in a number of ways � handling aids used, tasks altered, loads changed to reduce weight or improve the grip, the work area improved to make room for the handling and finally workers can be trained.

11. Better Backs in Construction Inspectors will in particular address the handling of: Kerbs Building Blocks Panel products e.g. Plasterboard Use of Lifting Aids e.g. for Lintels or drainage products (gully pots/manhole covers and frames) Bagged Aggregate These issues are mainly linked to projects that are part of HSE Construction Division�s Supply Chain InitiativeThese issues are mainly linked to projects that are part of HSE Construction Division�s Supply Chain Initiative

12. Kerbs � Bad Practice Not the way to do it! Poor posture Heavy weight Alternatives readily available Further Guidance in Construction Information Sheet57 �Handling Kerbs: reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders�Further Guidance in Construction Information Sheet57 �Handling Kerbs: reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders�

13. Kerbs What alternatives are available? Hollow kerbs Plastic kerbs Shorter lengths cut in factory or yard Slip formed kerbs Handling aids

14. Kerb Handling � Good Practice Mechanical grab � or vacuum lifters -vehicle mounted

15. Kerb/Paving Handling Good Practice � vacuum lifters

16. Handling Building Blocks Specify/order blocks that weigh less than 20kg Store blocks where they will not get wet (and increase their weight) Arrange work so that lifting over shoulder height is not carried out Deliver blocks as close to the point of laying as possible

17. Panel products e.g. Plasterboard Plasterboard example weights: Sound and damp resistant board, 15.0mm thick ,1200x2400mm,(4�x8�) weighs 39.7kg �Standard� Wallboard, 12.5mm thick, 1200x2400mm,(4�x8�) weighs 24.5kg Carrying of 2 or 3 boards at a time has been encountered Carrying has been encountered up 6 flights of stairs - the boards wouldn�t fit in the lift � between 1 and 3 boards were being carried by the individuals, the only control provided by the contractor company was the provision of gloves with good grip! Or up 7 flights - the lifts hadn�t been installed but the external cladding was on and the crane had gone from site, so there was �no other way to get the boards onto the site�. In Housing to get the boards up the stairs can entail the removal of the hand rails on landins and stairs leading to fall from height risks as well as the manual handling ones. Good planning at the detailed design stage is needed. �Carrying has been encountered up 6 flights of stairs - the boards wouldn�t fit in the lift � between 1 and 3 boards were being carried by the individuals, the only control provided by the contractor company was the provision of gloves with good grip! Or up 7 flights - the lifts hadn�t been installed but the external cladding was on and the crane had gone from site, so there was �no other way to get the boards onto the site�. In Housing to get the boards up the stairs can entail the removal of the hand rails on landins and stairs leading to fall from height risks as well as the manual handling ones. Good planning at the detailed design stage is needed. �

18. Panel products e.g. Plasterboard One possibility is to reduce the board width to 900mm 25% lighter narrower profile reduces the stretching, stooping and twisting, and allows the weight to be carried closer to the body. However smaller boards may cost more in terms of area covered , more taping and jointing and more studwork. However in some areas especially housing where narrow staircases are present they may provide one solution For a carrying operation it would often reduce MAC factors B, C and D (distance, asymmetry and postural constraints) from red to amber, or amber to green. However smaller boards may cost more in terms of area covered , more taping and jointing and more studwork. However in some areas especially housing where narrow staircases are present they may provide one solution For a carrying operation it would often reduce MAC factors B, C and D (distance, asymmetry and postural constraints) from red to amber, or amber to green.

19. Panel products e.g. Plasterboard Could lifting aids be used? Panels can be moved using panel trolleys which still involve manual handling but greatly reduce the risk. This is a good solution for facilities with less scope for long production runs, room for fork truck access, needing more flexibility etc Another alternative is to use a device which aids better posture, by allowing longer reach. Manual ahndling is not reduced but posture is improved. Panels can be moved using panel trolleys which still involve manual handling but greatly reduce the risk. This is a good solution for facilities with less scope for long production runs, room for fork truck access, needing more flexibility etc Another alternative is to use a device which aids better posture, by allowing longer reach. Manual ahndling is not reduced but posture is improved.

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21. Forming ceilings requires 2 workers adopting static postures to hold the board in place while it is secured. This solution enables one worker to do the job. Awkward and static postures from installation of building services can be reduced by modular assembly offsite.Forming ceilings requires 2 workers adopting static postures to hold the board in place while it is secured. This solution enables one worker to do the job. Awkward and static postures from installation of building services can be reduced by modular assembly offsite.

22. Use of Lifting Aids - Lintels In this case there were 150 lintels each weighing 115 kg. The firm calculated each lift needed a team of 5 which was not physically possible! They identified that a lift truck could be used. An alternative is to specify lightweight steel lintels where possible.In this case there were 150 lintels each weighing 115 kg. The firm calculated each lift needed a team of 5 which was not physically possible! They identified that a lift truck could be used. An alternative is to specify lightweight steel lintels where possible.

23. Use of Lifting Aids - manhole covers lifting equipment avoids the manual lift lifting equipment avoids the manual lift

24. Better Backs Bagged Aggregate 25kg as repetition with bags of aggregate is likely to be less than with blocks 25kg as repetition with bags of aggregate is likely to be less than with blocks

25. Solutions -Top tips Do things that will work in your business to make a difference Identify activities which present a risk and examine how these can be made safer � the MAC tool can help Prioritise action � sort out the things that will have most impact first Keep it simple � choose sensible approaches and solutions Check solutions for new risks and that they work Involve workers or their representatives in all of these These are some top tips are from the Better Backs campaign o������� Do things that will work in your business to make a difference o������� Identify activities which present a risk and examine how these can be made safer - the MAC tool can help o������� Prioritise action � sort out the things that will have most impact first o������� Keep it simple � choose sensible approaches and solutions o������� Involve workers or their representatives in : o������ Assessing risk o������ Choosing solutions o������ Monitoring and feeding back on how well solutions work These are some top tips are from the Better Backs campaign o������� Do things that will work in your business to make a difference o������� Identify activities which present a risk and examine how these can be made safer - the MAC tool can help o������� Prioritise action � sort out the things that will have most impact first o������� Keep it simple � choose sensible approaches and solutions o������� Involve workers or their representatives in : o������ Assessing risk o������ Choosing solutions o������ Monitoring and feeding back on how well solutions work

26. This summarises the main points: Sensible precautions in the workplace to reduce the incidence and impact of back pain. Encouraging people with back pain to stay active which is often the best therapy. (This is continuing to do normal things for them � not taking strenuous exercise) This applies to everyone not just people in �high risk� occupations.This summarises the main points: Sensible precautions in the workplace to reduce the incidence and impact of back pain. Encouraging people with back pain to stay active which is often the best therapy. (This is continuing to do normal things for them � not taking strenuous exercise) This applies to everyone not just people in �high risk� occupations.