Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs)
Sprains and strains, also known as musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), are the most
common type of work-related injury. These can arise from repetitive movement
or overexertion, such as working in an awkward position or performing the same
movements repeatedly (for example, scanning items at a checkout).
Safety tips
Avoid long periods of repetitive movement — rotate tasks, take micro-breaks, and change your position.
Avoid awkward positions — use an adjustable chair or stool, adjust the work area height to a good working level for you, and arrange your tools and equipment to make things easy to reach.
Wear low-heeled comfortable shoes.
Avoid twisting your body — move your feet to change position.
Ask your employer to consider replacing old or worn-out tools with tools designed to prevent MSIs.
Lifting and handling materials
Improper lifting and handling of heavy or bulky objects is a major source of strains, sprains, neck and back injuries, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and hernias. Any one of these injuries can affect you for the rest of your life.
When lifting, you need to think about your posture and the force required to lift the load.
Muscles and tendons can be overloaded, especially when your body is in an awkward posture.
Safety tips
Where possible, avoid lifting and carrying heavy or awkward objects. Instead, use mechanical devices such as forklifts, hoists, carts, and dollies.
Avoid twisting your back and reaching above your shoulders when lifting.
Get help from others.
Lift smaller loads by planning and adjusting weight distribution ahead of time.
Hold the object you are lifting as close to your body as possible.
Avoid awkward work postures such as bending, reaching, and twisting.
Try to keep the load between your knees and shoulders, without twisting your body.
Pivot with your feet instead of twisting your back.
Bend at your knees, not at your waist. This will help you keep your centre of balance and let the strong muscles in your legs do the lifting.
Lift smoothly and slowly.
Get a good grip. Use your hands, not just your fingers, to grip the load.
Limit the number of shopping carts you collect at one time, and push loaded carts rather than pulling them.
Slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls account for many injuries in the retail industry.
Examples of hazards include:
Slippery floors such as a store entrance on a rainy day, the work area behind a deli counter, and freshly washed floors
Cluttered walkways in retail and storage areas
Dark, uneven, and wet parking lot surfaces
Safety tips
Wear well-fitting non-slip footwear.
Keep walkways and work areas clear of boxes, loose electrical cords and other clutter.
Clean up spills right away or mark the area to warn others and report the spill to the person responsible for ensuring the spill is cleaned up.
Don’t carry more than you can safely handle. Get another person to help you or use a dolly.
Be sure you can see where you are going when carrying large items.
When stocking shelves, place the heaviest items between knee and chest level.
Use a stepladder rather than a chair or crate to reach high items.
Traveling to and from work
Your employer can’t control the environment outside the workplace. However, there are several things you can do to ensure a safer trip to and from work.
Driving
Lock your doors and roll up your windows before driving into the parking lot.
Scan the parking area for suspicious persons — have a plan ready in case you are uncomfortable with the situation.
Park in well-lit areas — avoid alleys, wooded areas, and tunnels.
Avoid having to reach back into the vehicle for anything.
After work, try to avoid walking to your vehicle alone, or at least have someone watch from a window.
Taking a bus
Plan to arrive at bus stops just before the bus arrives.
Avoid isolated or poorly lit bus stops.
If you see suspicious or menacing people at your stop, get off at the next stop.
If possible, have someone meet you when you arrive at your destination.
If you are confronted
If you are attacked, scream loudly and for as long as possible. As soon as possible, run to the nearest well-lit area.
Call the police immediately and try to recall the mannerisms of the attacker.
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