This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

WorkSafeBC

news room banner

Back to Health spots airing on Shaw TV inform viewers about back injury prevention and recovery

Richmond, B.C., May 2, 2007 — WorkSafeBC is pleased to announce Back to Health has begun airing on Shaw TV. This eight-part series, sponsored by WorkSafeBC, combines education and humour to inform viewers about back injuries. The series started airing on Shaw TV in the Lower Mainland on April 3 and will run until June 27.

“With this series, we're hoping to address in an informative and entertaining way how people can avoid and prevent back injury, as well as how they can rehabilitate in a safe and timely manner,” said Scott McCloy, WorkSafeBC Director of Communications.

The two-minute spots are hosted by Dr. Art Hister, a well-known broadcaster and family physician who has written numerous books and articles on health. The series also features comments from physicians, physiotherapists, and other experts in the field on topics such as early mobilization, the causes of back pain, and resources available to help workers get back on the job.

Back pain can be a serious problem for workers. Strains and related injuries aren't confined to any one industry and constitute 14,000 of all short-term disability claims for WorkSafeBC. In 2006 alone, workers in various sectors throughout B.C. missed over 510,000 days of work due to back pain.

“The Back to Health series is part of an overall goal to change societal attitudes and drive down back injury rates,” said McCloy. “We want to do whatever we can to communicate these issues and provide people with the information to make good and safe choices.”

View all eight Back to Health spots.

Serving nearly two million workers and more than 188,000 employers, WorkSafeBC is a provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors and funded by employers. WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.

For more information please contact:

Donna Freeman
Manager, Corporate Public Affairs
WorkSafeBC
604 276-3141
donna.freeman@worksafebc.com