EU tackles back ache at the workplace

(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission said Monday that it was debating whether new laws are needed to help prevent job-related physical problems like back and muscular pain, which hits around one in four workers.

It urged EU governments, employers and employees to work together to tackle musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), caused by tasks like typing at a keyboard, lifting heavy objects, bad posture and even a cold working environment.

"Given the demographic change, people will probably have to work longer and this makes it even more important that we tackle this problem now," EU social affairs commissioner Vladimir Spidla said.

His remarks came as he launched a "lighten the load" campaign in Brussels to raise public awareness about the problem.

MSDs are the biggest cause of absence from work in almost all of the European Union's 27 member states, making up some 53 percent of all job-related illnesses across the bloc, according to Commission figures.

Manual workers -- particularly in the agriculture and construction industries -- are most at risk, but nurses, secretaries and typists also report high rates of such injuries.

Factors like stress and low job satisfaction can contribute to the problem.

Such disorders are covered under current EU legislation but only in a limited number of work situations, like the manual handling of loads, work with display screen equipment and jobs involving excessive vibration.

"The Commission, therefore, considers that a legislative initiative, setting out a revised, integrated and more legible EU regulatory framework on musculoskeletal disorders might be appropriate," it said in a statement.

The first step toward a bill would be a new phase of consultation with the EU's "social partners", like union representatives and health groups.

The EU and musculoskeletal disorders