Manual Handling Training for the Retail Industry
Enhance safety and reduce injuries with tailored manual handling training for retail environments.
Understanding Manual Handling in Retail
Manual handling tasks are integral to retail operations, encompassing stocking shelves, unloading deliveries, and assisting customers with purchases. These tasks often involve repetitive movements, awkward postures, and handling of heavy or bulky items, which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries if not performed correctly.
Common manual handling risks in retail include:
- Lifting heavy boxes or merchandise
- Reaching above shoulder height or below knee level
- Prolonged standing or static postures at checkouts
- Pushing or pulling trolleys and carts
- Repetitive tasks such as scanning items or folding clothes
According to WorkSafe WA, body-stressing injuries from manual tasks are the highest cause of injury in the retail and wholesale industries.
Book a Free Online Session With Our Safety Team
Our experienced consultants have worked with a range of retail businesses, including clothing stores, supermarkets, and warehouses.
During a free video consultation, we’ll assess your needs and develop tailored training and risk-reduction strategies for your team.
Select your location to schedule, or get in touch to arrange a time that works for your roster. Corporate Work Health operates Australia-wide, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Tailored Training Solutions for Retail Workers
Our manual handling training programs are designed to address the specific challenges faced in retail settings. We focus on practical strategies to minimise risk and promote safe work practices, including:
- Educating staff on proper lifting techniques and posture
- Implementing ergonomic solutions to reduce strain
- Encouraging the use of mechanical aids where appropriate
- Developing safe work procedures for everyday tasks
- Promoting a culture of safety and awareness among employees
By investing in targeted training, retailers can significantly reduce the incidence of manual handling injuries, improving employee well-being and operational efficiency.
Read More: Fines & Penalties
Recent Fines For Non Compliance In The Construction Industry
In 2022 there were 120 employers who were fined for safety breaches in Victoria by Worksafe. Construction accounted for 47 of those employers (More than 120 employers fined for safety breaches in 2022 | WorkSafe Victoria)
SafeWork NSW is warning businesses they will face fines and potential prosecution if they fail to report incidents after the workplace regulator this year issued 140 compliance notices and over $55,000 in fines for breaches with one-third of all offences occurring in the construction industry. (SafeWork warning follows upward trend in failure to notify and disturbance of scenes | SafeWork NSW)
Fines for non-compliance with WHS:
Specific penalties for non-compliance:
- Worksafe QLD Penalties | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
- Safe Work Australia Penalties under the WHS laws | Safe Work Australia
What Does The Code Of Practice Say About Manual Task Risk Management In Construction?
This Code provides guidance on how to manage the risks associated with hazardous manual tasks that have the potential to cause an MSD in the workplace using the following systematic process:
- Identify hazardous manual tasks—find out what could cause harm.
- Assess risks, if necessary—understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening. This step may not be necessary if you are dealing with a known risk with known controls.
- Eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Control risks—if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, implement the most effective control measures that are reasonably practicable in the circumstances in accordance with the hierarchy of control measures, and ensure they remain effective over time.
- Review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.
Access More Resources
- Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks
- Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks
- Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work
Compliance and Best Practices
Adhering to workplace health and safety regulations is crucial for retail businesses. Safe Work Australia emphasises the importance of identifying and managing manual handling risks to prevent injuries.
Our training aligns with national guidelines and best practices, ensuring your organisation meets its legal obligations while fostering a safe working environment.
Questions & Free Quotes