When stacking shelves, manual handling means lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or holding any item that has to be moved onto or be removed from shelves.   

Strain injuries may occur when:   

• items are double-handed; 
• items are stored above shoulder level; 
• items are lifted from below mid-thigh height; 
• items are too heavy; 
• the weight of items is unknown and they are heavier than expected for their size or shape; 
• excessive forward reaching is required when lifting or placing loads on and off shelves; 
• there is not enough space to handle items safely; or 
• the load is unstable or awkward to move. 

Moving trolleys   

Strain injuries may occur when:   

• elastic "ocky" straps are used to join trolleys. "Ocky" straps must not be used; 

• trolleys are difficult to manoeuvre; 
• trolley wheels are poorly maintained; 
• the trolleys and their loads are too heavy; 
• the surfaces over which the trolleys are pushed are uneven or mismatched; 
• trolleys are moved over large distances or up steep slopes; 
• trolleys are difficult to grip due to the absence of, or poor location of handles; and 
• the person pushing the trolley is unable to see over the load. 

Stacking cartons on pallets   

Strain injuries may occur when:   

• the load is lifted from the floor, or from below mid-thigh height; 
• reaching above shoulder height when stacking cartons on pallets; 
• there is twisting and bending when placing cartons on a pallet; 
• excessive forward reaching is required when placing cartons on the far side of a pallet; 
• the cartons are too heavy; and 
• the cartons are awkward to grasp due to their size and shape. 

Talk to your supervisor about the size, shape and weight of cartons and their contents. It may be necessary for your supervisor to negotiate the size, shape, and weight etc. with the customers or suppliers to reduce the risk of injury.   

Slips, Trips and Falls in the Retail Industry   

Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are a serious hazard and can result in far more serious accidents than simply tripping or falling over.   

Factors that can cause a fall include when:   

• surfaces are slippery (e.g. surfaces are wet, polished or oily); 
• the surface texture of the floor is unsuitable (e.g. ceramic, wood, concrete, vinyl); 
• footwear is unsuitable; 
• moving from one surface to another; 
• floor levels change; 
• equipment, tools, rubbish are causing obstructions in work areas; 
• stock blocks access ways; 
• steps and ladders are used incorrectly; 
• clothing is caught; 
• lighting is unsatisfactory; and 
• struck by a moving or falling object. 

In some workplaces, floor surfaces can be chemically treated to increase traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls.   

Many falls in the workplace have involved young workers aged less than 25 years, and could have been prevented with training and safe work practices.   

A fall can cause injury to the arms, legs, back, neck or head. Neck and head injuries can cause damage to the spinal cord and nervous system. Many workers have suffered permanent disabling injuries or death as a result of a fall.   

Falls occur in many different workplaces and can be grouped into the following three categories:   

1. slips, trips and falls (falls on the same level));   

2. falls from height (a fall from one level to another); and   

3. falls into a depth.   

Slippery surfaces in the Retail Industry include:   

• cool rooms; 
• freezers; 
• deli areas; 
• meat rooms; 
• bakery areas; and 
• storage areas.