Don't get it in the neck
October 1st 2008

This issue's product of the month is a Dragons Den winner which is being launched by PPE specialist JSP. necprotech is a neck support designed to combat the neck pain, strain and injury associated with looking up for long periods. JSP has one to give away

Neck and upper limb disorders account for 45% of all work related disorders in Europe according to a recent EU study.

Proven to assist painters, plasterers, joiners, electricians, boat builders, car assembly workers, Telecomm engineers and all workers who spend time looking up while working, necprotech is said to be a European first.

Shown to greatly reduce pain, strain and injury, necprotech is said to be an effective neck support system that was developed specifically for those who spend a lot of time looking up. It supports the weight of the head about the weight of a bowling ball so the pressure on the neck is reduced while working overhead, saving your neck from pain, strain and long-term injury.

As well as supporting the head and neck, necprotech has a sturdy upper-body harness that helps to maintain good posture. It is said to be comfortable to wear.

Designed and developed in New Zealand, necprotech has been scientifically tested by the Human Performance Centre of the University of Otago, a leading biomechanics authority in New Zealand.

The scientific test showed necprotech reduces the muscle activity in the neck by over one third, a substantial amount that makes a noticeable difference in the amount of discomfort you feel and to the potential damage of your neck. The research also found that because necprotech reduces the rate of fatigue in the muscles, it could also help preserve the health of the cervical spine, preventing long-term injury.

The neck support is cushioned and shaped to the curve of the neck, and its base is fully adjustable to fit any height. The upper-body harness, while sturdy enough to promote good posture, is fully padded on the inside and the wide, padded straps that go around the shoulders, chest and under the arms give extra comfort and support to the upper body.

necprotech is worn just like a backpack. Once it's adjusted to fit your body, the shoulder straps need to be simply pulled over the shoulders and fastened in the front.

Why neck pain occurs When someone looks up, the head is held up by the muscles in the neck. And when someone is working with their hands above the head, the extra weight of their limbs puts even more pressure on the neck, causing both the neck and shoulder muscles to contract to stabilise and control the head and arms.

Over time, these muscles become overused, fatigued and strained, causing the neck to become tired and sore and leading to chronic pain. If left untreated, the stress on these muscles could eventually flow on to the spine and cause it to deteriorate. The results can be debilitating.

Who is at risk? Some of the main activities that have been identified as causes of neck pain, strain and injury:

Working in awkward positions where muscles have to contract and the weight of parts of the body has to be supported, such as looking up with arms above the head Working in a fixed position and using the same muscle group over a long period of time Doing the same task over and over again.

necprotech giveaway HSM has teamed up with JSP to give one necprotech away. To be in with a chance of winning just send in a suggestion of a job where you think necprotech could make a difference to the comfort of a worker and a brief outline of why.

Examples of where necprotech is already in use include: Crane drivers Forklift truck operators Joiners Overhead power maintenance Scaffolders

Please email your suggestions to: gbisby@western-bp.co.uk or send them in via post to 33/35 Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3BE

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