Young workers: Retail
These are the most common injuries and hazards for young people working in retail trading to the public, as shown by injury claims.
Young workers: Retail
These are the most common injuries and hazards for young people working in retail trading to the public, as shown by injury claims.
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Injury Hotspot skeleton diagram, text information below.
Hazards
- Hazard 1Managing young workers
- Consider young workers' age as a specific risk factor when identifying hazards and controlling risks in the workplace.
- Develop a culture and process that encourage young workers to speak up about risks they observe.
- Provide OHS induction and ongoing safety training that ensures young workers understand their job, can perform it safely and competently, and can recognise and report hazards.
- Have procedures and training around workplace bullying, violence, harassment and skylarking.
- Provide ongoing supervision that takes into consideration the inexperience of young workers.
- Encourage young workers to ask questions and to seek more information if unsure.
- Have consultative processes that encourage young workers to put forward ideas.
- 31 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- 13 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
- 8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons psychological system.
- 10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- Hazard 2Powered equipment and sharp objects
- Ensure guards on powered equipment are in place and function properly. Ensure all machinery complies with the Australian Standard for machine guarding.
- Use safety scissors or covered blades for cutting bags or wrapping around pallets.
- For food retailing, consider using pre-sliced, pre-peeled or pre-cut food.
- Ensure electrical and cutting equipment is de-energised before cleaning or maintenance.
- Train young workers, in the selection and use of any tools and mechanical equipment.
- Supervise new and young workers when working directly with or near machinery or blades.
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg steel mesh gloves) when using knives or cleaning sharp equipment.
- Ensure employees wear appropriate personal protective clothing (eg safety footwear if working in storage areas).
- 13 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
- Hazard 3Repetitive work
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg height-adjustable workstations, height-adjustable trolleys) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Design customer service areas to limit twisting, bending and over-reaching (eg position frequently used equipment, food and supplies between shoulder and mid-thigh height, use sliding trays to improve access in display cases).
- Train employees in the selection and use of any mechanical equipment and aids and safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible).
- Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work or static positions for long periods of time (eg by using job rotation, work variation, providing sit-stand stools and anti-fatigue mats) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.
- 8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.
- 13 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.