Back trouble among staff is crippling almost two-thirds of small businesses in the UK, according to a new report.

Some 13 million days are lost every year to 63 per cent of small firms where one-in-five people suffer from back strain, according to the report by BackCare, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) and the TUC.

Back strain is more common in small firms of fewer than 100 people than it is in larger workplaces because of a lack of help, resources and guidance.

Andrew Mowlah, from the FPB, said: "Small businesses are most vulnerable and if a key member of staff is away from work, things fall apart."

TUC General Secretary John Monks said: "Losing an employee with work-related back strain can cause a business of any size a problem, but in a small firm the results can be catastrophic.

"Bad backs are not just excruciatingly painful for individuals, they are also extremely costly for a business left without key workers for many months."

Nearly three-quarters of employees with back problems lift as part of their job and over two-thirds do a lot of standing in careers such as agriculture and catering.

The joint report calls for schools, trade unions and business organisations to educate small business owners on causes and prevention of back strain, better access to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths, explanations of procedures to staff and tax reductions on equipment that reduces back pain.

FPB Chairman Stan Mendham said: "Good research pays. We now understand the effect of back strain in the key sectors affected."

A free information line for advice on how to avoid, prevent and treat back strain has been set up on 0800 0320044.