Industry guidance document

Checkout workstations in retail - safe design and work practices

Industry guidance document

Checkout workstations in retail - safe design and w

ork practices

WorkSafe

Contents

Foreword............................................................................................................. 3

1.. Introduction................................................................................................ 4

2.. Safety.laws................................................................................................. 4

2.1 Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 ..................................................4

2.2 OccupationalSafetyandHealthRegulations.................................................5

2.3 Provisionofastandingorseatedcheckoutworkstation.................................5

3.. Risk.factors................................................................................................ 6

4.. Hazard.identification,.risk.assessment.and.risk.control........................ 7

4.1 Hazardidentification.......................................................................................7

4.2 Riskassessment.............................................................................................8

4.3 Controllingtherisk.........................................................................................9

4.3.1Controlmeasuresstandingcheckoutworkstations....................................... 10

4.3.2Controlmeasuresforseatedcheckoutworkstations..................................... 12

4.3.3Controlmeasuresforseatedandstandingcheckoutworkstations................ 15

5.. Overview.of.the.applicable.legislation................................................... 15

5.1WhatdoestheActsay?.................................................................................15

5.2Whatdotheregulationssay?.........................................................................16

Appendix.1.-..Risk.assessment.forms............................................................ 17

Further.information.......................................................................................... 20

Contacts.for.further.information..................................................................... 20

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Foreword

ThisindustryguidancedocumentistheoutcomeoftheDepartmentofConsumerandEmploymentProtectionTripartiteWorkingGrouponCheckoutWorkstations inRetail.This document has been developed through the tripartite consultative process andviewsoftheemployergroupandtheunion,alongwiththoseofgovernmentandexperts,includingpracticesinotherstatesandcountries,havebeenconsidered.

The document follows the risk management process of hazard identification, riskassessmentand riskcontrol,andprovidesexamplesof safeworkpracticesand thesafedesignofstandingandseatedworkstations.

TheWorkingGroupwillcontinuemonitoringdevelopmentsinrelationtothesafedesignofseatedandstandingcheckoutworkstationsandwillupdatethisdocumentasnewtechnologybecomesavailable.

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1. Introduction

ThemostcommoncontributingfactorstooccupationalinjuriesforcheckoutoperatorsinWesternAustraliaarepoordesignofcheckoutworkstationsandunsafesystemsofwork.

Most injuriessustainedbycheckoutoperatorsaresprains/strainsof jointsandadjacentmuscles,withthemajorityofinjuriesbeinglocatedinthelowerback,followedbywristandshoulderinjuries.Theseinjuriescanbereferredtoasmusculoskeletalinjuries.

Checkoutworkstationsintheretailindustryshouldbedesigned,plannedandoperatedsoastoreducetheexposureofcheckoutoperatorstohazardsresultinginmusculoskeletalinjuries.Severalfactorscanincreasetheriskofinjuryorharmtohealthtocheckoutoperators.

TheOccupationalSafetyandHealthRegulations1996requirehazardstobeidentified,theirrisksassessed,andthemeansbywhichtherisksmaybereducedconsidered.Thisiscalledtheriskmanagementprocess.Followupandreviewisanessentialaspectoftheriskmanagementprocess.Controlmeasuresneedtobereviewedtodetermineifriskiseliminatedorcontrolled,orifnewhazardshavebeenintroduced.

Thisdocumentillustratessomefactorsthatcanincreasetheriskofinjuryorharmtocheckoutoperators.Inaddition,italsoprovidesinformationontheriskmanagementprocessthatcanbefollowedtoeliminateorreducetheriskofinjurytocheckoutoperators.

2. Safety laws

2.1 Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

UndertheOccupational Safety and Health Act 1984(theAct)employershavea‘dutyofcare’toprovideasafeworkingenvironmentsothatemployeesarenot,sofarasispracticable,exposedtohazards.

“So far as practicable” means that the employer is expected to take measures that are practicable andreasonabletoreduce,controloreliminatehazard.Therelevantfactorsinassessingpracticabilityaresetoutinsection3oftheAct,andareasfollows:

“(a) theseverityofanypotentialinjuryorharmtohealththatmaybeinvolved,andthedegreeofriskofitoccurring;

(b) thestateofknowledgeabout--

(i)theinjuryorharmtohealthreferredtoinparagraph(a);

(ii)theriskofthatinjuryorharmtohealthoccurring;and

(iii)meansofremovingormitigatingtheriskormitigatingthepotentialinjuryorharmtohealth;and

(c) theavailability,suitability,andcostofthemeansreferredtoinparagraph(b)(iii)”.

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2.2 Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

TheOccupationalSafetyandHealthRegulations1996(theRegulations)prescribeminimumstandardsanddefinespecificrequirementsrelatedtoparticularhazardsorparticulartypesofwork.

Sub-regulation3.19(1)requiresanemployertoprovideseatingiftheworkisdonefromasittingposition,oriftheworkisofakindthatcanbedonesatisfactorilyfromasittingposition.

Additionally, sub-regulation 3.19(2) provides that an employer must, to the extent practicable, where anemployee’sworkisdonefromastandingpositionandtheemployee’sworkallowstheemployeetositfromtimetotime,provideandmaintainseating,sothattheemployeemaysitdownduringtheperiodswhentheemployeeisnotworking.

FormoreinformationonsafetylawsrefertoChapter5.

2.3 Provision of a standing or seated checkout workstation

Theissueofseatedcheckoutworkstationshasbeenthesubjectofsomecommunitydebateoverrecentyears.Thisdebatefocusedontheissueofwhethertheworkcouldbesatisfactorilydonefromasittingpositioninastandingcheckoutworkstation,andwhetherornotretailersshouldprovideaseatedorastandingcheckoutworkstation.

Most retailers in Australia provide standing checkout workstations, where employees are scanning andbaggingarticles.Someothercountriesprovideseatedcheckoutworkstationsinsupermarkets.Whenseatingisprovided,employeesarescanningandcustomersarebaggingarticles.

Thedesignandtypeofworkstationisdependentuponanumberoffactors,includingbutnotlimitedtotheworkthatiscarriedout,thesizeandweightofarticlestobehandledandtheactivitiesthecheckoutoperatorcarriesout.

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WorkSafepromotestheuseofariskmanagementapproachtoassesseachworksituationandprovideaworkingenvironmentwhereemployeesarenotexposed tohazards.Thiscould includeanergonomicallydesigned standingor seated checkout workstation, amongothermeasures suchas task rotation,micro-pausesandadequateinformationandtraining.

WorkSafe’sviewisthatseatingshouldbeprovidedwhereitispracticabletodosoandwhereitwouldnotincreasetheriskofmusculoskeletalinjuries.

3. Risk factors

Anumberof factorscan increasetheriskofmusculoskeletal injuryandothermanualhandling injuries tocheckoutoperators.Theseinclude:

l size,shapeandweightofobjects,whicharemoved/handledbycheckoutoperators, including theforceappliedwhenhandlingawkwardorheavyarticles,suchasboxes,cartonsofcansandshoppingbags;

l awkwardmovements,suchastwisting,bendingandover-reaching,particularlyincombinationwithhandlingarticlesandshoppingbags;

l sittingorstandingwhileholdingthebodyinafixedposition;and

l individualcharacteristicssuchasage,gender,physicaldimension,pregnancyandanydisabilitiesorotherconditionsapersonmayhave.

Riskfactorsareinfluencedbythe:

Duration.and.frequency.of.the.tasks

Standingorsittingbehindacheckoutforprolongedperiodsoftimeandrepetitivemovementswhilehandlingarticlescanincreasetheriskofinjurytoemployees.Toreducesuchrisks,taskrotation,regularbreaksandmini-breaksshouldbeimplemented.

Design.and.layout.of.the.workstation

Thedesignandlayoutofcheckoutworkstationcanincreasetheriskofinjury,asaresultoflifting,twisting,stooping,andreaching. In thedesignand layoutofcheckoutworkstations the following factorsshouldbetakenintoaccounttoreducetheriskofinjurytoemployees:

l theworkingheights;

l thetypeandpositionofequipmentsuchasbags,scanningequipmentandscales;

l theneedforlifting,twisting,stoopingandreachingwhileperformingthetasks;

l thetypeoffloorsurfaces,whilsttheoperatorisstanding;

l ergonomicdesignofchairorsit/standstool,whileoperatorissitting;

l thelegclearance;and

l thespacearoundtheworkstation.

Experience.and.training

Unfamiliaritywiththetaskandalackoftraininginrelationtothetasksandthehazardsinvolvedcanincreasetheriskofinjurytoemployees.

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4. Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control

TheOccupational Safety and Health Act 1984places theonuson theemployer toprovideandmaintain,sofaras ispracticable,asafeworkenvironment inwhichemployeesarenotexposedtohazards.Asafeworkplace,plantandsystemsofworkshouldbeprovidedandemployeesshouldbeadequatelytrainedandsupervisedtocarryouttheirdutiesinasafemanner.

Threebasicstepsshouldbetakentoensureasafeandhealthyworkplace.Theyarebasedontheconceptthattheworkplaceshouldbemodifiedtosuitpeople,notviceversa.

Thethreestepsare:

identifying.the.hazards–recognisingthingswhichmaycauseinjuryorharmtothehealthofaperson;

assessing.the.risks–lookingatthepossibilityofinjuryorharmoccurringtoapersonbeingexposedtoahazard;and

controlling.the.risk–by introducingmeasures,whichwilleliminateorreducetheriskofapersonbeingexposedtoahazard.

Thisthree-stepapproachiscalledtheriskmanagementprocessandshouldbecarriedoutinconsultationsafetyandhealthrepresentatives,ifany,andemployees.

Aspartof the riskmanagementprocess, identifiedhazardsandcontrolmeasuresshouldbemonitored.and.reviewed.Thisistoensurethatthecontrolmeasuresarecontinuingtopreventorcontrolexposuretohazardsorhazardousworkpractices.

4.1 Hazard identification

Methodsofidentifyinghazardsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

Checking.and.analysis.of.injury.and.hazard.reports.

Consulting.with.employees,.safety.and.health.representatives.and.supervisors..

Consultationshouldincludethefollowing:

Askingemployeesaboutwhichtasksorotherfactorsmayleadtophysicalstrainwhenworkingbehindthecheckoutworkstation.Thiscouldincludequestionssuchas:

l Whichtasksorotherfactorsmayleadtophysicalstrain?

l Hastheemployeehadanydiscomfortorpainwhileworkingbehindthecheckoutworkstation,ifyes,whatwerecontributingfactors?

l Howmanyhoursperweekemployeesgenerallyworkbehindcheckoutworkstations?

l How many hours per day does the employee work behind a checkout workstation during tradinghours?

l Afterhowmanyminutes/hoursabreakistakenandhowlongarethesebreaks?

l Iftaskrotationisinplace,howthatworksandifthatisseenasanadequatemeasure?

l Ifindividualcharacteristicsofemployeesmayleadtophysicalstrain?

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Consultingwithsafetyandhealthrepresentativesonsafetyandhealthproblemsorconcernsthattheyhavebecomeawareofaspartoftheirfunctions.

Talkingtosupervisorsaboutanyconcernsordifficultiestheyareawareoforthattheiremployeesexperiencewhileworkingbehindacheckoutworkstation.

Carrying.out.workplace.inspection.and.observing.tasks..

Observemanualhandling tasksanddetermine riskssuchas liftingbags, twisting,stoopingand reachingwhileperformingthefunctionsofthejobandtakenoteofthe:

l workingheights;

l positionofequipment,suchasshoppingbags,positionofscanningequipmentandscales;

l floorsurfaces;

l legclearance;and

l spacearoundworkstation.

Looking.for.trends.or.common.problems.in.the.hazards.identified..

4.2 Risk assessment

Thepurposeofriskassessmentistoassessanyidentifiedhazardthatmaybeariskwithintheworkplace.Riskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutinconsultationwithemployeesandsafetyandhealthrepresentatives.

Theassessmentshouldtakeintoaccountarangeofriskfactorsincluding:

l workplaceandcheckoutworkstationlayout;

l workingposture;

l durationandfrequencyoftask;

l forceapplied;

l workorganisation;

l skillsandexperience;and

l individualfactors.

Theriskassessmentprocessassessesthepotentialconsequencesforeachhazardandratetheriskofinjuryorharmtotheemployee.

FormoreinformationonriskassessmentandforcopiesofriskassessmentformsrefertotheRisk assessment form inAppendix1,theCode of practice on manual handling;ThenationalCode of practice for the prevention of occupational overuse syndrome and The First Step - managing safety and health hazards in your workplace.

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4.3 Controlling the risk

To eliminate or reduce manual handling and other risks, suitable controls need to be developed andimplementedinconsultationwithemployees.

Controlscouldincludethefollowing:

l wherepracticableeliminatethemanualhandlingactivity;

l wherethisisnotpracticable,reducetheriskbyredesigningormodifyingthe:

➣ workandworkorganisation;

➣ checkoutworkstation,suchasworkingheight,legclearance,spacearoundtheworkstation;

➣ positionofequipment,suchasshoppingbags,scanningequipmentandscales;

➣ tasktosuittheworker;and

➣ informationandtrainingprovidedtoemployees.

Strategiestochangeworkshouldbeaimedatreducingriskfactorsassociatedwithactions,postures,loadsandtheworkenvironment.

Riskfactorscanbereducedbyanumberofapproaches,including:

l modifyingworkplacelayoutandequipment;

l modifyingtheload;

l controllingtheworkenvironment;and

l redesigningworkpatterns.

Thedesignofworkstationsisdependentupontheworkthat iscarriedoutandthesizeandweightofthearticles.Forinstance,theworkheightofacheckoutworkstationinahardwarestore,whereheavyorbulkyitemsarehandled,islikelytobelowerthanaworkstationinamusicstore,wherelightandsmallitemsarehandled.

Thetypeofworkstationisdependentupontheactivitiesandthetypeofworkthatiscarriedout.Forexample,intheeventthattheoperatoriswalkingupanddowntoserveclients,astandingworkstationispreferred.Intheeventthattheoperatorstaysinonepositiontoserveclients,bothstandingorseatedworkstationmaybeappropriate.

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Thefollowinginformationisonthedesign,operationandothercontrolmeasuresthatcanbeconsideredtoensurethesafetyofstandingandseatedcheckoutworkstations.

4.3.1 Control measures for standing checkout workstations

l Work.height.

Theworkheightdependsonthreeaspects:

➣ Theheightoftheuser.

Theidealworkheightoftheworkstationisatelbowheight.Fixedheightofworkstationscanbestberelatedtotheaveragesizeoftheusers.

➣ Thetypeofwork.

Asaguide,lightorprecisionworkshouldbecarriedoutatapproximatelyelbowheight,whereasheavyworkshouldbecarriedoutatapproximatelyhipheight.

➣ Thesizeandweightofarticles.

Generallytheworkheightisdependentupontheweightoftheaveragearticlesthataresoldintheshop.Theworkheightshouldbehigherwhenscanningandpackaginglightandsmallarticlesandshouldbelowerwhenscanningandpackaginglargeandheavyarticles.

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l Reaching.distances

Equipmentthatisusedoftenthroughouttheday,suchasscales,scannerandeftposmachineshouldbewithinaneasyreachdistance,whileworkinginastandingposition.Thiswillreducetheneedforreachingandstooping.

Toreducelifting,bendingoverandreachingwhilescanningheavyorbulkyarticles,adequatecontrolsmustbeconsidered.Thesecontrolscouldinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

➣ scancardsofbarcodesforheavyorbulkyarticlesshouldbekeptneartheoperator;

➣ hand-heldscanners;

➣ PLUs(pricelook-ups);

➣ detachabletickets.

l Position.of.shopping.bags

Iftheoperatorplacesthearticlesinplasticbagsusingasingleordoublebagwell,thelocationofthebagsshouldbeinsuchapositionthattheoperatorcanadoptacomfortableuprightworkingposture.Thepositionandheightandthebagracksshouldnotcauseoperatorstostoop,twistorreachwhilepackingshoppingbags.

Checkoutworkstationsshouldbedesigned,insuchawaythatitisnotnecessarytoliftafullshoppingbagontothecheckoutcounter.Thedesignofthecheckoutshouldallowtheoperatortoslideeachshoppingbagacrossthecountertocustomerseasily.

Clientsincreasinglybringtheirownshoppingbags,whichcancarryheavierloads.Baggingandliftingheavierbags,createanincreasedriskofinjuryorharmtohealthtotheoperator.Theoperatorshouldassesstheriskandwhereverpracticableencouragetheclienttoassistwithbaggingofarticles.

l Leg.clearance.

Tofacilitateanaturaluprightposition,itisimportanttoensurethereissufficientroomfortheoperatortohavelegclearanceundertheworkstation.Intermittentlyraisingonelegcouldimprovethepositionofthehipandback.

l Workspace.generally

Theremustbesufficientroomaroundthecheckoutworkstationforthecheckoutoperatortobeabletocompletetasksunimpeded.Pathsforthroughtrafficshouldbeminimalandreducethenumberofpeoplewalkingbehindorpastthecheckoutstation.

l Floor.surface

Thefloorbehind the counter or checkoutmust beanon-slippery surface.Standingonhard floorsurfacesshouldbeavoided.Ifemployeesareworkinginastandingposition,softfloorsurfaceoranti-fatiguemattingshouldbeprovided.

l Footwear

Employeesshouldwearflatsturdyfootwear.Inappropriatefootweariehighheelscancausebackandneckproblems,particularlyifwornforalongperiodoftime.

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4.3.2 Control measures for seated checkout workstations

l Work.height

The idealworkingheight isapproximatelyatelbow level.At thisheight thearmscanmove freelyabovetheworkingsurfaceandtheelbowscanrestonthesurfacewhiletheshouldersarerelaxed.Liftingofanyitemsshouldbeminimisedandliftingofheavyitemsshouldbeeliminatedwhilesittingdown.

Theworkstationsurfaceheightisinfluencedby:

➣ Thickness.of.the.work.surface

Thethicknessoftheworksurfaceshouldbereducedasfaraspracticable,toensuresufficientlegclearance.

Whenpurchasingnewequipment,attentionmustbepaidtothethicknessoftheworksurfaceandappliances(egmoneydrawer,scanner,conveyor,etc).

➣ Height.and.design.of.chair

The height of the chair must be adjustable and suitable back support should be provided.Theseatheightdependsonpersonalpreference,worksurfaceheightandthickness,andthepresenceofaraisedplatform.

➣ Height.and.adjustability.of.footrest

Thesizeandpositionofthefootrestareimportanttoensureagoodsittingposture.Thefootrestmustbeadjustableinordertoaccommodatedifferentbodycharacteristics.

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Eyecontactisveryimportantforgoodcommunication.Thereforeitisimportanttobeabletocommunicateatanapproximatesimilareyeheight.

Therearetwowaystoachievethis:

l acashregisterwithanelevatedfloorsurface;or

l ahighcashregisterwithahighchair,whichallowsworktobecarriedoutineitherasittingorstandingposition.Riskinrelationtogettingonandoffthechairinthespecificsituationshouldbeconsidered.

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l Reaching.distances

Equipmentthatisusedoftenthroughouttheday,suchasscales,scannerandeftposmachineshouldbewithinaneasyreachdistance,whileworkinginaseatedposition.Thiswillreducetheneedforreachingandstooping.

Whilstworkinginaseatedpositionreachingtoequipment,andliftingofbagsandawkwardorheavyarticlesshouldbeminimised.Liftingandtwistingwhileworkinginaseatedpositionincreasestheloadonthespineandthereforetheriskofmusculoskeletalinjury.

The ergonomic design of a seated workstation should allow the operator to slide articles fromtheconveyorbelt acrossascannerontoanotherbelt orareawherecustomerscando theirownbagging.

Toeliminatetheneedtoweigharticlesatthecheckout,scaleswithabuilt-inlabellingmachinecouldbeplacedinthefruitandvegetableareatoallowcustomerstoweighandlabelthearticles.

l Leg.clearance

Sufficient room must be provided to allow unimpeded leg clearance. A very common problem incheckoutworkstations isa lackof legroom,duetoareasunderneaththestationbeingusedasatemporarystorageforitemssuchasplasticbags,hangersandrubbishbins.Theprovisionofadequateleg clearance is also important in the case of sit/stand workstations. Obstacles can impede freemovementofthechairorsit/standstool.

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4.3.3 Control measures for seated and standing checkout workstations

l Task.rotation.and.regular.breaks/micro.pauses

Task rotationand jobenlargementcan introduce taskvarietyand reduce theamountof repetitivemovementsorsustainedmanualhandlingeachemployeedoesthroughouttheshift.

Implementingworkpracticessuchasregularbreaksandmicropauses includingstretching,risingandgreetingnewcustomers,canhelppreventinjury.

l Training

All operators must receive appropriate training in manual handling and risk reduction strategies.Trainingcouldincludeelementssuchas:

➣ optimalworkposturetoreducetheriskofinjury;

➣ optimaluseofscancardsandhandheldscanners;

➣ taskrotationanddifferenttasks;and

➣ takingregularbreaksandmicropauses;

Whentheemployeeisworkingfromastandingpositionoperatorsmustreceiveappropriatetraininginriskreductionstrategieswithregardto:

➣ “propping”themselvesupagainstthecheckout;and

➣ totheextentpracticable,sittingdownfromtimetotimewhentheemployeeisnotworking;

Whentheemployeeisworkingfromaseatedpositionoperatorsmustreceiveappropriatetraininginriskreductionstrategieswithregardto:

➣ standinguptostretchthebackandothermuscleswhenthereisalullbetweencustomers.

5. Overview of the applicable legislation

WesternAustralia’s occupational safety andhealth laws cover all individualworkplaces, including shops,supermarketsandotherretailoutlets.

5.1 What does the Act say?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 requires employers, as far as practicable, to provide andmaintainaworkingenvironmentinwhichemployeesareexposedtohazards.

Employers’dutiesinclude:

l providingandmaintainingsafeworkplaces,plantandsystemsofwork;

l providingsafetyinformation,instruction,trainingandsupervision;

l consultingandcooperatingwithsafetyandhealthrepresentativesandemployees;and

l whereisitisnotpracticabletoeliminatehazards,providingprotectiveclothingandequipment.

Employeesarerequiredto:

l takereasonablecareoftheirownsafetyandhealth;and

l avoidadverselyaffectingthesafetyorhealthofothers.

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5.2 What do the regulations say?

TheOccupationalSafetyandHealthRegulations1996includeanumberofsectionsrelevanttotheergonomicdesignofworkstationsinretail.

ThefirstoftheseisRegulation3.1whichrequiresemployers,maincontractors,self-employedpersonsandthoseincontrolofworkplacesoraccesstoworkplacesto:

Identifyeachhazardtowhichapersonattheworkplaceislikelytobeexposed;

Assesstheriskofinjuryorharmtoapersonresultingfromeachidentifiedhazard;and

Considerthemeansbywhichriskmaybereduced.

Withoutlimitingregulation3.1,Regulation3.4requiresemployers,maincontractors,selfemployedpeopleandthoseincontrolofworkplacesoraccesstoworkplacestoidentifyhazardswhicharelikelytoarisefrommanualhandlingattheworkplace,assesstheriskandconsidercontrolmeasures.Manualhandlingincludesanyactivityrequiringtheuseofforceexertedbyapersontolift,lower,push,pull,carryorotherwisemove,holdrestrainaperson,animalorthing.

Regulation3.6Movement around workplacessays thatataworkplaceanemployer, themaincontractor,selfemployedpersonorapersonhavingcontroloftheworkplacemust,wherepracticable,ensurethattheworkplaceisarrangedsothatpersonsareabletomovesafelywithintheworkplaceandpassagesforthepurposeofenablingpersonstomovewithintheworkplaceareatalltimeskeptfreeofobstructions.

Regulation 3.14 Work space generally says that as far as practicable, the employer must provide eachemployeewithsufficientspaceinwhichtoworkwithoutrisktotheemployee’ssafetyandhealth.

Regulation3.19Seatingrequiresthat

(1) Ifanemployee’sworkisdonefromasittingpositionorisofakindthatcanbesatisfactorilydonefromasittingpositionthentheemployermustprovideandmaintainseating:

(a)thatisdesignedhavingregardtothenatureoftheworktobeperformedandthecharacteristicsoftheworkstation;

(b)thatisstronglyconstructed,stable,comfortableandofsuitablesizeandheightfortheemployee;and

(c) ifpracticable,hasabackrestorisotherwisedesignedtoprovidebacksupport.

(2) Ifanemployee’sworkisdonefromastandingpositionandtheworkallowstheemployeetositfromtimetotime,totheextentpracticable,theemployermustprovideandmaintainseatingsothattheemployeemaysitdownfortheperiodswhennotworking.

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Appendix 1

Risk assessment form – checkout workstations - Part 1

Risk.factors.to.consider Yes No N/A

Workplace.and.checkout.workstation.layout/design

Standing.workstation

Istheheightofthecheckoutworkstationbetweenelbowandhipheight?

Aretheshoppingbagslocated:

l Sothattheoperatorcanadoptacomfortableuprightposition?

l Sotheoperatordoesnothavetoliftafullshoppingbagontothecheckoutcounter?

Isthefloorsurfacesoftorifitisahardfloorsurfaceisthereanti-fatiguematting?

Seated.workstations

Istheheightofthecheckoutworkstationatapproximatelyelbowheightoftheuser?

Isthethicknessoftheworksurfacereducedasfarasispracticabletoensuresufficient

legclearance?

Isthechairheightadjustablethroughasuitablerange?

Hasthechairgotasuitablebacksupport?

Isthereanadjustablefootrest?

Cantheoperatorgeton/offchairsafelyandunimpeded?

Doestheconveyorbeltallowtheoperatortoslidearticlesacrossthescannerontoanother

beltorarea?

Seated.and.standing.workstations

Istheequipmentsuchasscales,scannerandeftposmachinewithineasyreach?

Isstorageofarticles(egbags,rubbishbin)underneaththeworkstationminimisedtoallow

unimpededlegclearance?

Isthefloorsurfacenonslippery?

Isthereenoughworkspacearoundthecheckoutworkstationfortheoperatortocomplete

tasksunimpeded?

Isthroughtrafficminimised?

Working.posture

Can work be completed in an upright supported posture?

(If there isanyforwardreachingmorethan30cmawayfromthebody,reachingabove

shoulder height, bending below mid thigh height, twisting or sideways bending by the

operatorthenworkcannotbecompletedinanuprightsupportedposture)

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Risk.factors.to.consider Yes No N/A

Duration.and.frequency.of.task

Doestheoperatorhavetheopportunitytocompleteavarietyoftasks?

Doestheoperatortakeregularbreaks?

Doestheoperatortakemicropauses?

Cantheoperatoravoidsittingorstandingforprolongedperiodsoftime?

Force.applied

Is thehandlingofheavy itemsminimisedbystrategiessuchasscancards,handheld

scanners,PLUsordetachabletickets?

Cantheoperatorslideratherthanliftloadedshoppingbags?

Isliftingfromaseatedpositionminimised/eliminated?

Isthereminimalforcerequiredtomoveitemsacrossthescanner?

Work.organisation

Istheretaskrotationand/orjobenlargementimplemented?

Skills.and.experience

Istheoperatorfamiliarwiththetask?

Havetheoperatorsreceivedadequatetraining?

(Trainingshouldincludeelementssuchasoptimalworkposture,useofscancards/hand

heldscanners,taskrotation,takingbreaks,micropause,propping,changingpositions)

Individual.factors

Have the individual characteristics of the operators been considered eg age, gender,

physicaldimension,pregnancy,andanydisabilitiesorotherconditions?

A“no”responseindicatesanincreaseintheriskofinjury.

ThisformisshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththisIndustryguidancedocumentCheckoutworkstationsinretail–safedesignandworkpractices.

More informationcanbefound in theCodeofpracticeformanualhandlingandthenationalCodeofpracticeforthepreventionofoccupationaloverusesyndrome.

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Further information

Legislation

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

OccupationalSafetyandHealthRegulations1996

CommissionforOccupationalSafetyandHealthdocuments

CodeofPractice:ManualHandling

ApprovedCodeofPractice:PreventionofOccupationalOveruseSyndrome[NOHSC:2013(1994)]

Contacts for further information

Chamber.of.Commerce.and.Industry.of.Western.Australia

180HayStreet

EASTPERTHWA6004

Tel:(08)93657415Fax:(08)93657550

Email:osh@cciwa.com

Website:www.cciwa.com

Unions.WA

Level4,79StirlingStreet

PERTHWA6000

Tel:(08)93287877Fax:(08)93288132

Email:unionswa@tlcwa.org.au

Shop,.Distributive.&.Allied.Employee’s.Association.of.WA

5thFloor25BarrackStreet

PERTHWA6000

Tel(08)92214321

WorkSafe

DepartmentofConsumerandEmploymentProtection

5thFloor1260HayStreet

WESTPERTHWA6005

Tel:(08)93278777

Internet:www.worksafe.wa.gov.au

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Westcentre1260HayStreet,WestPerthLockedBag14,CloistersSquare6850

Ph:(08)93278777Fax:(08)93218973

August.2005

ISBN1-920836-13-6

Comprehensiveworksafetyandhealthinformationcanbefoundat:

www.worksafe.wa.gov.au

SafetylineisaserviceprovidedbytheDepartmentofConsumerandEmploymentProtection

www.docep.wa.gov.au

Thisdocumentisavailableonrequestinotherformatsforpeoplewithspecialneeds.

DP100247/Aug05/onlineonly

WorkSafe