01/10/2018
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WHOLESALE & RETAIL
To ensure a safe and healthy working environment in the wholesale and retail sector, everyone involved has health and safety duties and responsibilities which are clearly outlined in Sections 8, 13 and 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993.
Workers in the retail industry face as many health hazards as people employed in jobs that are generally believed to be more dangerous.
Retail jobs require repetitive motions, heavy lifting, long periods of standing and other hazards that can result in injury. Retail workers need to be aware of the risks they face on the job and how to avoid them.
Typical hazards in the wholesale and retail sector
Indoor air quality and pollution
Repetitive motion
Lifting, carrying and standing
Safety of shelving & racking systems
Computer operators and data processors
Slips, trips and falls
Exposure to Chemicals
Hot/cold temperatures
Machine guarding
Waste disposal