Johannesburg - Back injuries are prevalent in the forestry
sector, the labour department said on Thursday.
"The pain and suffering affects thousands of workers
each year as well as their families, communities and workplaces,"
occupational health director Milly Ruiters said at a forestry seminar in White
River, Mpumalanga, according to a statement from her office.
Research showed that sprains, strains and tears continued to
be the leading nature of injury, with the back being the most commonly injured
body part in the forestry sector.
Ruiters said among problems facing the department's
compensation commission were late registration of occupational injuries or
disease claims by employers.
Other obstacles were delays in payment of
compensation benefits due to non-submission of banking details, and employers
not registering with the compensation fund.
She said almost R3bn was paid to employees and service
providers following accidents suffered by workers in the 2009/10 financial
year.
"The amount paid in 2009/10 represents an increase of
R441 793 500 on the previous financial year," Ruiters said.