PREVENTING BACK PAIN AND OTHER ACHES AND PAINS TO KITCHEN STAFF

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PREVENTING BACK PAIN AND OTHER ACHES AND PAINS TO KITCHEN STAFF – HSE ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE
10 March 2006 - HSE InfoLine

Back pain and manual handling injuries are among the most common occupational ill health problems in the UK. In catering and hospitality industry kitchens there are many tasks that without proper controls can cause back pain or upper limb injuries.

In 2004/2005 an estimated 2 million people suffered occupational ill health with back pain and upper limb disorders accounting for around three quarters of this figure.

Aimed at raising awareness amongst employers the guidance offers practical information on good manual handling techniques and lifting aids that will be useful to any section of the hospitality industry. It also offers specific information for kitchen staff on significant risk areas such as pot washing, dishwashing, preparing food, storage and cleaning.

The guidance supports and supplements HSE's Better BACKS campaign launched in June 2005 (www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk), which promoted practical tips to employees and businesses on managing back pain and tackling manual handling problems at source.

http://www.hse.gov.uk

About: HSE InfoLine
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.

The HSE looks after health and safety in nuclear installations and mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations, the safety of the gas grid and the movement of dangerous goods and substances, railway safety, and many other aspects of the protection both of workers and the public. Local authorities are responsible to HSC for enforcement in offices, shops and other parts of the services sector.

The HSC is sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions and is ultimately accountable to the Minister of State for Work, the Right Honourable Jane Kennedy MP.

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