New SafeWork SA initiative focused on the retail industry

New SafeWork SA Initiative Focused on the Retail Industry

Retail sector safety is the focus of a new SafeWork SA initiative aimed at protecting workers from slips, trips, falls, and injuries linked to heavy lifting and repetitive tasks. This compliance push targets housekeeping standards and hazardous manual tasks across metropolitan stores.

What the Campaign Involves

Starting in March, inspectors from SafeWork SA will make surprise visits to metropolitan retail businesses to assess adherence to safety standards, focusing on cleanliness and proper handling of hazardous manual tasks. Reviews will also examine how staff manage electrical plant, fixtures, and other equipment found throughout retail environments.

Since the beginning of January 2021, SafeWork SA has issued over 49 statutory notices related to poor housekeeping and insufficient systems and training for hazardous manual tasks. These notices highlight persistent gaps in risk management across the sector.

Why Retail Poses Hidden Hazards

SafeWork SA Executive Director Mr Glenn Farrell said, "Many people don't consider a retail outlet to be a particularly hazardous work environment, but the statistics clearly show that serious injuries caused by falls, slips, trips and strains are commonplace in the sector."

Common hazards in retail settings extend beyond flooring conditions. Faulty electrical plant, poorly maintained electrical wiring, and unsafe storage of stock all contribute to risk. Businesses handling electrical equipment must ensure regular testing and tagging to reduce shock or fire-related hazards, alongside routine inspection of plant used for lifting, transporting, or displaying goods.

Building a Stronger Health and Safety Culture

Retailers can strengthen compliance by reviewing how staff perform manual tasks, including stacking shelves, moving stock, and operating electrical plant such as compactors or price-tagging machinery. A structured approach to health and safety training reduces both injury rates and regulatory exposure.

Employers should consider implementing a Safe Work Method Statement for hospitality and retail environments to formalise procedures around hazardous manual tasks and public-facing duties. Pairing this with a working with the public policy helps ensure staff understand expectations when dealing with customers alongside physical work demands.

Key Focus Areas for Retail Businesses

• Housekeeping standards to prevent slips, trips, and falls
• Safe handling of hazardous manual tasks, including heavy lifting
• Testing and maintenance of electrical plant and wiring
• Training systems that address ongoing health and safety risk
• Documentation supporting compliance during unannounced inspections

This initiative follows a broader pattern of targeted enforcement from the regulator. Readers can learn more about a related SafeWork SA initiative focused on slip and trip risks in workplaces, plus explore how a separate SafeWork SA initiative helps improve workplace safety across other high-risk industries.

Construction remains another sector under close scrutiny, with a recent SafeWork symposium addressing critical issues in the construction industry that shares common ground with retail compliance challenges, particularly around plant safety and manual task risk.

Read more here.