Bosses are being urged to do all they can to reduce injuries at work.
Joan Pettingill, an employment law specialist at Last Cawthra Feather, said: "Businesses need to identify areas that could cause harm and work out how likely it is that injury could occur. Employers also need to record whether risks can be eliminated altogether and, if not, whether control measures are in place."
She was speaking as final preparations were being made for European Health & Safety Week, which will be held between October 16 and 22 to coincide with National Back Care Week.
According to the Clinical Standards Advisory Group, every year more than 119 million days are lost through back pain and muscular skeletal disorders, with the cost to the UK economy estimated at £5 billion a year.
Joan Pettingill's role in the firm, which has offices in Bradford, Shipley and Ilkley, is to help sort out the confusion bosses face on health and safety issues.
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