Press Release E006:00 - 25 January 2000
"Turn your back on backpain" - European Week for Safety and Health 2000
The new millennium's first European Week for Safety and Health is to take place in the UK in the week of 16 to 22 October 2000 to coincide with Back Care Week.
The Week aims to reduce the problems of backpain and musculoskeletal disorders by increasing awareness, identifying solutions and supporting practical projects in the workplace. Musculoskeletal disorders and backpain, which cost the UK economy some £5 billion a year with over 119 million days lost from work each year, cause misery and suffering to tens of thousands of workers.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has teamed up with the National Back Pain Association, the TUC, CBI, the Departments of Health, Education and Employment, and Social Security, and the Health Education Board for Scotland to encourage employers and workers to reduce work-related ill health and injury.
Support for Health and Safety Weeks has grown steadily year on year with a record number taking part in 1999. More than 2000 businesses and organisations provided feedback to HSE about their health and safety initiatives staged last October. The names of 25 award winners will be announced at the annual awards dinner at the Dorchester in March where athlete Roger Black is the guest speaker.
Said HSE's Director of Information, Peter Rimmer: "Backpain and musculoskeletal disorders affect more people than any other industrial injury or disease. The Week is an opportunity for people to sign up and take action to eliminate health and safety problems in their workplace."
Mr Rimmer continued: "Each year, more and more local authorities, government departments, NHS Trusts, large and small firms, and trades unions sign up as active supporters of the Week. Feedback shows that the Week is an enjoyable, rewarding and highly participative activity. Get involved."
Notes to Editors:
1. The European Week has taken place three times - in 1996, 1997 and 1998. HSE has organised six Health and Safety Weeks including the three European Weeks - the first in 1992 to coincide with the European Year of Safety and Health, in 1994 to promote the 'Lighten the Load' campaign, and in 1999 to coincide with the launch of Phase 4 of the 'Good Health is Good Business' campaign.
2. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (Bilbao) is organising this year's European Week in October 2000 on the theme of musculoskeletal disorders and backpain with an emphasis on small and medium sized firms (smes).
3. Member states are free to choose any week in October. Following consultation with the National Back Pain Association, European Week in the UK is planned for 16 October 2000 to coincide with Back Care Week and to avoid the half-term holidays.
4. Over 119 million days a year are lost though backpain and MSD at a cost to the UK economy of some £5 billion a year. The campaign is designed to have a positive influence on reducing the problem and in promoting positive actions by increasing awareness of the problem, identifying solutions and supporting practical projects in the workplace.
5. Occupational Health is a priority in the HSC Strategic Plan. Musculoskeletal disorders and backpain feature in HSE's 'Good Health is Good Business' programme and in the 'Back in Work' initiative organised in partnership with Department of Health.
6. Health and Safety Weeks are an integral part of HSC/E's annual publicity programme. Local authorities are very supportive of the Weeks and promote them locally and in their areas of influence. NHS Trusts, the health care sector, large and small firms, and trades unions have been active supporters of the Week.
7. The European Agency is responsible for management of the Week, organising a European Week Group and for providing information material. The European Agency invited Focal Points in each member state to nominate a representative to a European Week Group, to promote the Week in cooperation with the social partners and to publish information on European Week activities on their web sites.
8. HSE, through its Information Services, acts as the UK Focal Point. Peter Rimmer, HSE's Director of Information, is the nominated UK representative on the European Week Group. The European Week Group is responsible for assisting the Agency, coordinating activities in member states and recommending projects for funding.
9. The Agency will produce posters, information leaflets and facts sheets. The text and design elements will be posted on the Agency website. The UK will incorporate the information in a Newsletter which will be published in the Spring. The Agency will launch the European Week on 11 February in Lisbon during the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
The European Agency web site address is: http://www.osha.eu.int/
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0541-545500 or write to: HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
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