Protecting Young Backs

Research shows that up to 30% of teenagers are affected by back pain, close to the adult level. In 8% of students(two to three in a class) the condition is severe enough to affect school attendance, concentration, ability to play sport, relashionships and well being. There is evidence to show that adolesecent back problems persist into adult life.

Many children have no access to a locker at school and may be carrying more than 30% of their body weight in school bags. Health and safety legislation protects adults in their place of work, specifiying for example what kind of seats they sit on, how much weight they are allowed to carry, etc. No such laws protect children in school, their place of work. Much school furniture would be deemed illlegal in an office