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Manual handling in the retail industry

Important information for workers in shops and supermarkets.

Contents

  1. What is manual handling?
  2. What injuries are associated with manual handling?
  3. How do you know is a manual handling activity is a problem?
  4. What do you do is you consider a manual handling activity is a problem?
  5. How can manual handling problems in the retail industry be controlled?
  6. Other sources of information and assistance

1. What is manual hndling?

Manual handling is a major part of a worker's job in the retail industry. It involves activities such as:

  • pushing;
  • pulling;
  • lifting;
  • carrying; and 
  • holding.

2. What injuries are associated with manual handling?

Half of all injuries in the retail industry in WA are strain related, the majority arising from manual handling activities.

Strain injuries occur through sudden overexertion or continuous overuse. Back injuries are one of the most serious types of strain.

For young workers in the retail industry, excessive strain on the back can lead to long term damage.

3. How do you know is a manual handling activity is a problem?

Persistent muscular aches or pains may indicate that there is physical stress.

There are a range of risk factors with manual handling activities. The presence of these risk factors increases the likelihood of the activity resulting in injury. Some of the main risk factors in the retail industry are associated with -

  • Frequent or prolonged handling involving:
    • bending where the hands pass below mid-thigh level;
    • reaching above the shoulder; and
    • twisting the back.
  • Occasional handling of objects which are difficult or awkward to move due to:
    • shape, size or instability;
    • heavy weight; and
    • being placed or stored below mid-thigh level or above the shoulder.

A more comprehensive checklist for identifying manual handling risk factors is contained in the National Guidance Note for Manual Handling in the Retail Industry.

4. What do you do is you consider a manual handling activity is a problem?

Bring the manual handling activity to the attention of your manager and, if you have one, your elected occupational safety and health representative. They can work together to make sure the work activity is properly assessed.

5. How can manual handling problems in the retail industry be controlled?


Some of the strategies that can be used are:

  • eliminate double handling -
    • stock is moved many times between delivery, storage and display using a trolley;
    • using a pallet jack, the stock is moved directly from delivery to display;
  • change the size or weight of the packaging -
    • flour, available in 25 kg bags for a bakery, could also be available in smaller bags weighing 12.5 kgs. Smaller bags can be lifted and handled more easily;
  • reduce push/pull forces - 
    • limit the number of trolleys to be collected by employees at one time;
  • work at the correct height -
    • stable, sturdy step stools provide a non-slip standing surface and enable easy access to stock out of reach;
  • training and education -
    • training in how to do specific tasks is part of all control strategies. 

General education should tell workers how to identify factors that cause manual handling injuries.

6. Other sources of information and assistance

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