WORKSAFE SMART MOVE

retail module . . .

Manual Handling

In the retail industry manual handling tasks you may have to do include packing and unpacking stock, stacking shelves, taking cartons on and off pallets, hanging up clothing on racks, moving mobile racks, moving trolleys and cleaning floors and shelves.

Most injuries in the retail industry in Western Australia result from manual handling activities. Strain injuries occur through sudden overexertion or continuous overuse. Back injuries are one of the most serious types of strain. Too much strain on your back can lead to long-term damage.

As a young employee you are more likely to be injured through manual handling work than an older employee, as your body is still developing and is less able to cope with strain. Constant muscular aches or pains may indicate that there is too much physical stress.

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;

  • twisting the back; and

• occasional handling of objects that are difficult or awkward to move due to:

  • shape, size or instability;

  • heavy weight; or

  • being placed or stored below mid-thigh level or above the shoulder.

Ways to reduce the risk

Your employer should provide instruction and training for manual handling tasks and assess and control manual handling problems in the retail industry. This may include:

• eliminating double handling by reducing the number of times an object is handled and where possible moving the stock directly from delivery to display;

• changing the size or weight of packaging by breaking down large loads into smaller ones and finding out if stock is available in smaller sizes as smaller loads can be lifted and handled more easily;

• reducing push/pull forces by instructing employers to reduce bending, twisting and reaching movements when placing items on a shelf, rack or pallet and limiting the number of shopping trolleys to be collected at one time;

• providing suitable equipment such as trolleys or pallet jacks to move stock and a stable, sturdy step ladder to allow you to stack shelves at the correct height or to provide easy access to stock that is out of reach; and

• providing a safe workplace layout which allows you enough space to move and work safely.

Even though you may be young and new to the job, you should speak up if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury.

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Moving trolleys

Collecting and moving shopping trolleys at shopping centres can be hazardous. Trolleys are usually tied together using a strap attachment to return them to the store. The use of elastic or "occy" straps is hazardous and can result in serious injury or death.

Your employer should train you in safe work procedures, provide a lightweight, strong, non- elastic strap and make sure the trolleys are well maintained.

You should push the trolleys rather than pull them and move no more than 12 trolleys by yourself on a flat level surface. This number may vary according to a risk assessment for each individual trolley collector, and depending on factors such as the age and strength of the trolley collector.

The dangers of using elastic "occy" straps to tie trolleys together are outlined in the case study Young Trolley Collector Killed.

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