The economy is taking a hit of £21billion a year as up to 70 per cent of our van drivers take time off with long-term back pain.
Many spend up to seven hours a day driving. Poorly adjusted seats are often to blame for the problem, a study by VW found.
The motor manufacturer, which teamed up with the British Chiropractic Association, said the most common mistakes are sitting too close to the steering wheel or too far away from it.
Half of the 500 drivers tested said they adjusted their seat correctly. But two thirds of these were actually sitting incorrectly.
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And drivers who suffer what is called builder’s back take an average three weeks off work – with the downtime costing firms an estimated £500 a day per van.
It means 70 per cent of the UK’s four million van drivers take an average 15 days off. Sarah Cox, of VW Commercial Vehicles, said: “Labourers commonly suffer builder’s back for a variety of reasons but poor seating position can often be overlooked. Our research shows the majority of drivers don’t adjust their seats correctly.
“This is not only causing two thirds of van drivers back pain but hits the economy with £21billion in lost work.”
Prab Chandhok, of the British Chiropractic Association, added: “It’s important the van is set up properly to ease the strain driving, especially for long periods, can have on your back.”
