Workers and employers in Victoria’s (Australia) retail sector are being urged to focus more closely on workplace safety during the busy end of financial year sales period.
WorkSafe inspectors are visiting retail stores across the state and are paying particular attention to poor manual handling practices, which account for around half of the injuries in the retail sector.
Of special interest to inspectors are the distribution centers and warehouses that store and deliver whitegoods, furniture and electrical goods to retail outlets.
WorkSafe’s Acting Head of Operations and Hazardous Industries, Phil Grimson, said the message to retailers was to make employee safety a top priority during the end of financial year sales period.
“For many employees, handling large boxes and heavy, unwieldy goods is a normal part of their day,” Grimson said.
“But movement of stock accounts for many injuries, such as bad backs, tendon, ligament, and soft tissue tears and even bone fractures. The risk of falls created by using the wrong access equipment can also cause serious injury. During a peak period such as this, these risks increase.”
As well as appropriate stock handling, Grimson said inspectors would focus on stock control and storage, basic housekeeping practices, and ensuring staff were adequately trained and had the right equipment to handle stock.
According to Grimson,“Almost eight retail workers are injured every day in Victoria and, at this time of year, young and new employees are particularly vulnerable.”
Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: kstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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