• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The DIY Doctor's Blog
MENUMENU
  • DIY Doctor menu logo
  • Home
  • Projects
    • All Projects
    • Brick, Block, Marsonary and Concrete
    • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
    • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
    • Electrical
    • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
    • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
    • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
    • Gardening and Landscaping
    • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
    • General Repairs and Cleaning
    • Green Living and Eco DIY
    • Ground work, Foundations and Drainage
    • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
    • Joinery and Carpentry
    • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
    • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
    • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
    • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
    • Plumbing
    • Roofing and Gutters
    • Tiling and Tiles
    • Tools, Appliances and Access
    • DIY Tips
  • UK DIY Forums
  • DIY Videos
    • Bathroom DIY Videos
    • Building Foundation Videos
    • Building Videos
    • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
    • Damp and Damproofing Videos
    • Decorating Videos
    • Electrical Videos
    • Fitting Blinds Videos
    • Flooring Videos
    • Gardening Videos
    • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
    • Hand and Power Tools Videos
    • Heating and Central Heating Videos
    • Kitchen Videos
    • Plastering and Drylining Videos
    • Plumbing Videos
    • Security Videos
  • Find Tradesmen
    • Find a Tradesman
    • Contract Download
    • Working With Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
    • Home Improver Protection
    • Price Doctor
  • Tool Store
    • Tool Store
    • Bookstore
    • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • DIY Competitions
  • About us
    • About DIY Doctor
    • What we do
    • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
    • Master Classes
    • Contact Us

Home > Blog Home >  DIY and Home Improvement >  Seasoned Builders & DIY Amateurs, Prepare for BackCare Awareness Week

Seasoned Builders & DIY Amateurs, Prepare for BackCare Awareness Week

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Access

Calling all DIY devotees! Whether you’re a DIY amateur or an experienced builder, it’s time to start taking care of your back. From the 8th-12th October 2012 we hope all of you got involved in BackCare awareness week. Every year the charity BackCare runs an awareness week to make sure we’re all taking good care of our spines. In 2012 the focus is firmly on anyone involved in construction.

Back pain might account for half of all instances of chronic pain, but it is not just a personal problem, it is also a huge financial burden on the tax payer. Every single day back pain sets the NHS back £1.3 million and costs £13 million in Disability Benefits. Overall, back pain takes £37 million out of the UK economy on a daily basis – this works out at a mind boggling £19 billion every year.

Close to 30 million of us will suffer from back pain this year in the UK alone. And around a third of this 30 million will suffer for more than 12 months. On top of this, 6 million of these sufferers will have to take at least 3 months off work as a result. Ouch.

As you can see, this problem isn’t just physical – it’s economic – and it affects all of us, whether or not we have healthy backs. This year’s focus is on the damage which working on construction projects can have on our spines.

 

Back injuries are rife in the world of construction. It is a risky line of work to be in, whether you’re a casual weekend DIY-er or an old hand on the building site. The construction business accounts for 30,000 new back injuries a year, whilst DIY causes an unbelievable 80,000 new back injuries every 12 months. According to figures from Builders’ Back Pain, 20 million of us perform DIY every year, putting a significant number of us at risk of chronic back pain which could take a serious toll on our working and personal lives. It is manual handling which causes the vast proportion of DIY back injuries.

So now you know why BackCare awareness week is so important, it’s time to learn how to take care of your body whilst performing manual labour. You’ll have heard the old chestnut “lift from the knees” hundreds of times, but there are a few other important things to consider when lifting and carrying. Here are some vital pointers:

  • Think carefully before lifting a large or heavy object. Be sure that you are not lifting more than you can handle and that you are doing so properly.
  • If possible, use manual lifting equipment instead (as long as you have received the correct training)
  • When lifting, keep your back straight and bend your knees instead.
  • When carrying, keep the item close to your body
  • If an object is too heavy or awkwardly shaped, ask for assistance – do not attempt to lift on your own.

This advice goes for every DIY activity that involves lifting and carrying. To do your bit for BackCare awareness week, why not start taking heed of this advice and pass it on to your friends too. You could even sign up for DIY training courses which will ensure you have all the skills and knowledge you need to perform expert DIY, without injury!

Author: Access Training offer expert DIY training courses, designed to give amateurs the skills and knowledge they need to conduct home improvements safely and to a high standard. To find out more, please visit Access Training today.


Signup for the DIY Doctor Newsletter

<< Next Post

Cub Scouts diy awards
Cub Scouts diy awards

Previous Post >>

Sheds – we love ’em
Sheds – we love ’em

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

DIY Utility Kit:

Build your own work bench!

RRP Price: £49.99

Special Price: £39.95

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Advert

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Follow DIY Doctor

Follow DIY Doctor on Facebook
Follow DIY Doctor on Twitter
Follow DIY Doctor on YouTube
Follow DIY Doctor on Pinterest
Follow DIY Doctor on Tumblr

Blog Categories

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and C’s
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved