When someone has a bad back, it can keep them away from their normal job. Receiving treatment for the symptoms may not help them to carry out their full duties at work. In this example, the operative worked in a warehouse and nearly lost her job. The employer had arranged for her to change to “light duties” but there had been little progress with returning her to the original duties. A more positive action plan was needed.

The operative had suffered from back pain on and off for 5 years and was off work for 12 weeks. She received several courses of treatment. Tests showed nothing particularly abnormal but the operative continued to avoid lifting when she returned to work on “light duties”. This reduction in her normal duties meant that her muscles became weak.

A Human Resources manager was involved in discussions with all parties and explained that long-term light duties were not an option for business reasons. A graded programme at the workplace was introduced to gradually increase the use of the operative’s muscles and back. This took place over a number of weeks and the operative was able to return to full duties at the end of the programme (see table below).

Task 1

• Lifting from hip level to shoulder level loads of up to 14kg
• Sustained standing / walking
• Reaching to full arm stretch  in front of body from hip to shoulder level
• In control of work pace

Task 2

• Pushing and pulling a roll cage weighing 400kg over a smooth surface (force required to initiate push = 20Kg and 8kg to sustain movement)
• Lifting from knee level to shoulder level loads of up to 14kg
• Carrying loads of 14kg up to 5 metres
• Sustained standing / walking
• Reaching full arm stretch in front of body from hip to shoulder level
• Twisting to right and left (trained to move feet)

Other duties could include

Marshalling and receiving which involve sustained standing and walking

Warehouse operative – plan for returning to full duties

Week 1-2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week 6	Week 7-8	Week 9-10	Week 11-12
2 hours @ task 1	2 hours @ task 1	2 hours @ task 1	3 hours @ task 1	3 hours @ task 1	4 hours @ task 1	4 hours @ task 1	Full duties
6 hours @ other tasks	5 hours @ other tasks	4 hours @ other tasks	3 hours @ other tasks	2 hours @ other tasks	2 hours @ task 2	3 hours @ task 2	4 hours @ task 1
	1 hour @ task 1	2 hours @ task 1	2 hours @ task 1	3 hours @ task 1	2 hours @ other tasks	1 hour @ other tasks	4 hours @ task 2