Retail

Everything for the retail industry in one place.

Your obligations and duties to create a safe work environment.

Consultation between employers, workers and HSRs is essential.

Understand how to become an HSR, the powers of an HSR and an employer's obligations to HSRs.

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Find useful information and services to help your workplace in your industry.

Retail

Hazards

Hazard 1
Lacerations amputations and fractures
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.

Supervise new and young workers when working directly with or near machinery or blades.

Provide 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).

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand / fingers.
Hazard 2
Lifting / handling of items equipment or trolleys
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg trolleys and pallet jacks that are easy to push with wheel and castors in good repair, height adjustable trolleys to move stock, light equipment such as lightweight backpack vacuums to clean large areas) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Ensure building layout / design limits the need to push, pull or carry equipment or loads (eg good path design, floor surfaces allow pallets to be moved directly to storage areas).

Position shelving and racking in storage areas at accessible heights.

Ensure service counters and food preparation surfaces are between hip and waist height (eg around 90cm).

Order stock in smaller containers that are easier to store and lift (eg 20kg bags instead of 40kg).

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.

5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

15 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
Hazard 3
Repetitive work and awkward postures
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 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 (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.

5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

15 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
Hazard 4
Slips trips and falls (including falls from height)
When accessing heights, provide the highest level of falls prevention measures (eg platform ladders, mobile step stools with hand rails) as is reasonably practicable. Ensure ladders are in good condition and are used safely (eg three points of contact at all times).

For posters that are often changed, consider devices (eg pulley systems) to lower posters to ground level.

Ensure work areas and access areas are free of debris, level, well-lit and in good condition (eg ensure rugs and carpets are secure).

Apply good housekeeping practise (eg remove unnecessary items, provide sufficient storage, ensure items are put away, doors and drawers closed after use).

Ensure employees wear appropriate footwear (eg non-slip).

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

26 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.
Hazard 5
Work-related stress violence bullying and work pressure
Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for workplace bullying and harassment.

Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.

Ensure all employees understand what bullying and harassment is, and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be promoted during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention or training).

Provide access and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.

Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, organisational culture) and control appropriately.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons psychological system.

'If you are injured at work' poster

Employers must display an 'if you are injured at work' poster in every workplace. You can download and print a poster in English as well as Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Download a poster

News and alerts

Tuesday 25 November 2025

As the end-of-year rush approaches, Victorian workplaces are being urged to put safety first and avoid taking shortcuts that could increase the risk of injury or death.

Tuesday 15 April 2025

WorkSafe is asking everyday Victorians to stop and think about their behaviour before they cross a line and put workers at risk of a mental injury.

Wednesday 22 May 2024

A reminder about the health and safety risks of stacking boxes in cold rooms.

Retail

OHS responsibilities and duties

Consultation

Health and safety representatives (HSRs)

You might also need

Insurance, claims and recovery

Psychological health

Employer obligations

Workplace resources

Understand WorkSafe

Injury hotspots

Retail

Hazards

Lacerations amputations and fractures

Lifting / handling of items equipment or trolleys

Repetitive work and awkward postures

Slips trips and falls (including falls from height)

Work-related stress violence bullying and work pressure

'If you are injured at work' poster

Don't cross

the line

News and alerts

Work safe to get home safe this festive season

Stop and think before you cross the line

Fast food employee struck on the head by falling boxes

Information

Services

About WorkSafe

Contact

Retail

OHS responsibilities and duties

Consultation

Health and safety representatives (HSRs)

You might also need

Insurance, claims and recovery

Psychological health

Employer obligations

Workplace resources

Understand WorkSafe

﻿﻿﻿Injury hotspots

Retail

Hazards

Lacerations amputations and fractures

Lifting / handling of items equipment or trolleys

Repetitive work and awkward postures

Slips trips and falls (including falls from height)

Work-related stress violence bullying and work pressure

'If you are injured at work' poster

Don't cross

the line

News and alerts

Work safe to get home safe this festive season

Stop and think before you cross the line

Fast food employee struck on the head by falling boxes

Injury hotspots