Back and neck pain are common causes of absenteeism among younger workers, a survey by Safe Work Australia shows.

About 20% of employees aged about 23 report such health problems.

“The study showed musculoskeletal pain has a significant impact on the absenteeism of young workers,” the independent government agency says.

The annual productivity loss due to back or neck pain is about $3554 per worker – or $139 million nationally – for 23-year-old workers, the research in WA reveals.

“The rate of absenteeism due to health reasons was 1.8 times greater in those with back or neck pain compared with those without back or neck pain,” the report says.

“This equated to 73 additional hours lost per year among those with back or neck pain, compared with those without back or neck pain.”

By industry, construction workers lose the most hours through absenteeism for any reason, while mining workers lose the most due to health reasons.

Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter says as the working population ages there will be increasing reliance on young workers’ productivity.

“Manifested over a career, the impact of back and neck pain from a relatively young age would have significant productivity costs at the organisation and national levels if not addressed in the workplace,” she said.