Builders’ back pain – don’t be a statistic

Whether you work in the construction industry or you’re a weekend DIY-er, you’ll be painfully aware that any kind of building project can take its toll on your back. October 2nd - 6th is National Back Care Awareness Week, and a chance for us all to take a look at the way we work, and what we can do to prevent the misery of back pain.

According to the charity BackCare, which runs the awareness week, back pain affects about 80 per cent of the UK population at some stage in their lives. It’s one of the most common causes of missed working days throughout the country. Back pain costs the UK economy around £15 billion every year as over four million working days are lost as a result of the condition.

So how do you avoid becoming one of these statistics? It’s worth looking at the most likely triggers of builders’ back pain. These include:

• Lifting heavy or bulky loads
• Carrying loads awkwardly, possibly one-handed
• Stooping, bending or crouching
• Pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads
• Working when physically tired
• Stretching, twisting and reaching

Guarding against these dangers can be tricky when you’re busy on a job. But of all the pieces of advice that are offered by backcare experts, one of the most important is to lift correctly. You should always keep the load as close to your waist as possible, adopt a stable position and ensure a good grip, hugging the load close to your body. Bend your back, hips and knees at the start of the lift and do not stoop. There’s a detailed page offering lifting advice on the NHS Choices website here.

Ensuring you have the correct tools will also help you get a job finished quickly and safely. At D.W. Nye, we sell a good range of labour-saving power tools and accessories as well as heavy-duty safety boots to minimize any risk of slips, trips or falls.

We also offer our customers a carry-to-car service and of course a fast delivery service to save lifting into your van or car, and we’ll offload your materials close to where you need them. Why not visit our six-acre depot on the Sussex/Surrey border to find out more? You can also order online or by telephone on 01306 628114.