Campaign to tackle backache epidemic unveiled

A CAMPAIGN was launched yesterday to tackle backache, the single biggest ailment workers complain of, especially those in nursing, construction and agriculture.

About a quarter of Irish workers complain that they suffer back pains regularly while almost the same amount say they are also affected by muscular pains.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work believe these are responsible for up to half of the days off taken by 30% of the Irish workforce each year.