HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) is fronting a new campaign to make bad backs better.

The move comes after latest figures show that in the north west currently around 60,000 people currently report a back injury caused or made worse by work.

Overall, British businesses lose an estimated 4.9 million days to employee absenteeism through work-related back conditions each year. Each employee affected takes an average of 19 days off work.

Against this background the HSE is launching its Better Backs campaign. This will offer concise, practical tips on how to avoid back-related injuries in the workplace to both businesses and employees via a dedicated microsite (www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk) and helpline 0845 345 0055.