Young workers

Young workers have higher injury rates than other worker age groups.

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.

Safety solutions

WorkSafe expects employers to have safety solutions in place to protect workers from the most common sources of injury.

Hazards and solutions

Hazard 1
Managing 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 2
Powered 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 3
Repetitive 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.

Young workers

Young workers: Retail

Safety solutions

Hazards and solutions

Managing young workers

Powered equipment and sharp objects

Repetitive work

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