Now researchers say 'safe' lifting advice DOESN’T protect your back

For years we have been trying to bend at the knees, keep a straight back and squeeze those tummy muscles when picking up something heavy.

But maybe we should have saved ourselves the strain.

Researchers claim there is no evidence that the techniques taught around the world to encourage safe lifting can prevent back injuries.

The findings from their study of more than 18,000 workers suggest that training courses for handling heavy items - which are often mandatory for employers and workers - could be a waste of time and money.

Researcher Jos Verbeek said: "It seems that what is currently accepted as best practice for heavy lifting does not prevent back pain."

Dr Verbeek and his colleagues at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki analysed 11 studies.

Eight dealt with health workers who manually handled patients and the remainder looked at baggage handlers and postal workers.

All those taking part had jobs where there was a strain on the back and training was recommended to avert possible injuries, according to the report published in the British Medical Journal Online First.

The researchers found no difference in back pain in studies where one group received training in lifting techniques and the other did not.

The researchers conclude that either the recommended techniques do not actually work in reducing the risk of back injury, or workers don't change their habits sufficiently for them to make a difference.

In Britain it is estimated that four out of five adults will experience back pain during their life.

Back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders cost the economy around ten million working days each year, and are the cause of half a million getting long-term incapacity benefits.

For the past two years the Health and Safety Executive has run a Better Backs campaign to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries and working days lost as a result of back pain.

It publishes guides and shows videos on 'correct' lifting techniques on its website.

However, Dr Verbeek says there is emerging consensus among biomechanical specialists that these are a waste of time. He said: "The techniques themselves, which include advice to bend the knees and keep a straight back, don't appear to improve the chances of preventing back pain or disability.

"The reasons are not clear, although people may be tempted to lift heavier loads than they should because they've had training."

In fact, said Dr Verbeek, there was one small study that showed a "no lifting policy" was "possibly the most effective way to avoid back pain".

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said the findings were actually consistent with their own, that avoiding lifting is best. "Our message is: ask yourself do you really need to lift or carry this heavy object - putting yourself at risk - or is there a better, safer way to get the job done?"