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Young workers: Warehousing and storage
These are the most common injuries and hazards related to young workers in the warehouse and storage industry, as shown by injury claims.
Injury Hotspot skeleton diagram, text information below.
Hazards
- Hazard 1Accidents caused by mobile plant
- Implement appropriate traffic management plans (eg design all new workplaces to ensure pedestrians and forklifts are completely separated, establish appropriately sized pedestrian exclusion zones).
- Ensure ride-on mobile plant has curtain/barrier foot protection and automatically stops when operator dismounts.
- Ensure all operators of mobile plant have appropriate licences.
- Physically point out hazards to young workers (eg moving equipment) where possible.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons foot/toes.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hands/fingers.
- Hazard 2Falling objects
- Provide appropriate wrapping and stillages to prevent objects falling from containment, and train young workers how to use these.
- Stack heaviest items at the base of the load.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
- Hazard 3Lifting and repetitive bending (order picking replenishing container packing and unpacking)
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg four-wheel trolleys and lifters to lift heavy weights, height-adjustable reach conveyor) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Eliminate manual lifting of hardwood pallets.
- Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (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.
- Train young workers, in the selection and use of any mechanical equipment and aids and safe handling methods (eg that the best working zone is when work is between shoulder and knee - preferably mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible).
- 37 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
- 10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- Hazard 4Managing 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.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons ankle.
- 37 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons foot/toes.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hands/fingers.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
- 10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- Hazard 5Pushing and pulling trolleys and packages (eg loading freezers)
- Use plate freezers or trolley systems wherever possible. If this isn't practicable, ensure freezer frame load/unloading is always done between mid-thigh and shoulder height, using aids such as height adjustable racking and trolleys, pallet lift tables, vacuum lifters.
- Train employees, especially young workers, in the selection and use of equipment (eg trolleys, pallet lift tables, vacuum lifters).
- 37 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.
- 10 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
- Hazard 6Slips trips and falls
- Ensure work areas and access areas are free of debris, level, well-lit and in good condition, and walkways are clearly defined.
- Use barriers for loading bays when not in use.
- Ensure fences and barriers at finger docks remain in place until truck acts as a barrier.
- Apply good housekeeping practise (eg remove unnecessary items, provide sufficient storage, promptly clean up spills, ensure items are put away, doors and drawers closed after use).
- Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures (eg don't stand on pallets, no climbing on shelves, drivers not to drive away during loading / unloading process).
- Ensure employees wear appropriate footwear (eg non-slip).
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons ankle.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons foot/toes.
- 6 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm/wrist.
- 7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hands/fingers.
- 5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
Injury hotspots disclaimer
This information does not give rise to any liability of, or claim against, WorkSafe Victoria. It does not give rise to any right, expectation, duty or obligation that a person may not otherwise have. It does not give rise to any defence that would not otherwise be available to a person.
This information does not affect the operation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.
Please note these injuries and hazards are based on historical claims data. There may also be new common injuries and hazards emerging at your workplace which will need to be addressed.