Back pain can be caused by a number of different things including:

• Injury
• Age
• Fatigue
• Twisting
• Unaccustomed activities
• Lack of or no recovery time
• Sustained or long time holding of a weight
• Holding or stooping posture
• Struggling to move someone who is too heavy or awkward
• Activities which use static muscles
• Activities which use ligaments at full stretch

Here are some of the warning signs indicating you may have caused injury to your back:

• A tired and aching back
• Sudden shooting pains
• Leg pains
• Reduced or changed sensation in back, legs and arms
• Reduced muscle power
• Pins and needles in the legs and arms.

If you have any concerns or suspect that you may have an injury in you back then you should visit your doctor and inform your line manager that you may not be fit to carry out any moving and handling tasks. Once you have recovered you will need to provide a note from your doctor to say that you are fit and able to carry out the tasks required.