Manual handling is a major part of a worker's job in the retail industry. Half of all injuries in the retail industry in WA are strain related, the majority arising from manual handling activities. Strain injuries occur through sudden overexertion or continuous overuse.
Back injuries are one of the most serious types of strain.
For young workers in the retail industry, excessive strain on the back can lead to long term damage. Persistent muscular aches or pains may indicate that there is physical stress. There are a range of risk factors with manual handling activities. The presence of these risk factors increases the likelihood of the activity resulting in injury. Some of the main risk factors in the retail industry are associated with - 1.