A HEALTH and safety blitz is to take place across Worcestershire as it was revealed hundreds of people in the county suffer with workplace-related back injuries.

A survey released by the Heath and Safety Executive this week showed that 565 people were affected by the problem in 2003/4, with each employee taking an average of 19 days off sick.

HSE inspectors are now visiting businesses and organisations to advise employers of preventative measures as part of the national campaign Better Backs 2005.

One of the firms to be visited was Worcester Bosch. As a large manufacturing firm, a lot of lifting is involved, but the inspection showed the firm has successfully minimised damage to employees.

"As a responsible employer, we are fully aware of the dangers that can result from lifting and carrying in the workplace," said Ian John Smith, health, safety and environmental officer for Worcester Bosch.

"But we manage to minimise the impact of this by implementing measures to aid lifting such as vacuum hoists, roller tracks and fork lift trucks.

"We had a visit from the HSE on Tuesday and they were pleased with the measures we take."

As well as raising awareness about the cost of back pain and injury at work, the HSE is also highlighting low-cost solutions that businesses can put in place to protect their employees.

While manual handling accounts for 14 per cent of all major injuries, people can experience backache from sitting at a desk.

Worcester News reporter Kathy Don is trained to do chair massages and visits various companies, including Wychavon District Council, to offer advice and give treatments.

"The chair massage is designed to be taken to the place of work and to help people who suffer from back, neck or shoulder aches, who sit at desks all day," she said.

"Regular massages ease pain and with the right advice on how to sit at a desk, can help to prevent problems.

"Chair massages are also energising, and they don't make people tired, which is ideal for the workplace," she said.