The size of the problem in Construction

Construction has the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These are mostly back injuries from manual handling. There were 56,000 Work Related MSD cases in construction in 2004/5. Handling injuries (to employees in 2004/2005) accounted for 38% of over 3 day injuries and 15% of major injuries.

What Construction Inspectors will be doing

This year during the inspection campaign Inspectors from HSE’s Construction Division will be focussing on manual handling tasks that mainly form part of the Supply Chain Initiative.

These are:

• 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

Resources to support the campaign

In addition to the materials from the campaign pack available from the Better Backs website, two presentations have been prepared for the construction industry. The links are below:

• Better backs in construction [600kb]
  This contains information about the campaign and the topics Inspectors will focus on.
  • Speakers notes for this presentation [40kb]
• CDM dutyholders and better backs [60kb]
  

  This contains information on areas where designers, planning supervisors, principal contractors, contractors and suppliers and manufacturers

Some examples of good and bad practice