BUSINESSES are urged to take the pain out of working or face losing time and money.

Back pain costs British industry 4.8 million lost days a year, according to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as part of a week-long campaign on workplace safety.

Back pain is the biggest health problem facing bosses and costs business up to £335 million annually, says the HSE.

EEF North West, the region's body representing engineering firms, is among groups supporting the European Week for Safety and Health campaign.

Its head of safety, Robert Habgood, said: "The week is a great opportunity to raise businesses' awareness of health and safety issues and to focus on back pain which we know can cost employers substantial sums." EEF member firm, Presspart, of Blackburn, is cited as an example of good working practice in action. Its health, safety and environmental officer, Vincent Riding, said: "EEF has been very helpful in formulating our action plans and results are very positive."

The company uses training, safe systems of work and risk assessments to make the workplace safer.

Michael Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Back problems are a major contributory factor in absence from work.

"It is in the interests of industry and staff to reduce the amount of time lost because of back pain.

"For sufferers there is an impact outside the workplace on their social life. It also affects carers in hospitals and at home who have to lift and move people.

"I think people are more aware now of issues such as using the correct lifting procedures or sitting correctly at their computer."

Bill Callaghan, chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, said: "Each year there are thousands of new cases in this country requiring specialist attention.

"A nationwide survey showed an estimated 642,000 people in Great Britain believed they were suffering from a musculoskeletal problem, affecting their back and caused by work.

"The figures showed that in one year an estimated 4.8 million working days were lost and that, on average, each sufferer took 11 days off work because of their complaint."