Ergonomics
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries in New Zealand’s retail sector and supply chain
Improving workplace ergonomics is key to reducing injuries, boosting productivity, and enhancing worker well-being.
The growing impact of poor ergonomics
Musculoskeletal injuries, includings sprains, strains, and discomfort, are increasingly common across the retail, manufacturing, logistics, and transport sectors in New Zealand. These injuries not only impact workers’ health but also cost businesses millions in lost productivity and ACC claims.
In 2023, injuries resulting from activities like lifting, carrying, twisting, pushing, and pulling led to an ACC rolling average cost of $71.6 million across the sector. For workers unable to return to work for five days or more, the total ACC rolling average cost was $30.5 million.
Our approach
At ShopCare, we partner with industry leaders and subject matter experts to design, implement, and amplify interventions that effectively reduce musculoskeletal injuries.
We promote innovative, early interventions to ensure a healthier and more productive workforce and improve overall operational efficiency.
How ShopCare can help your business
- Support with developing knowledge, skills, and tools to design, implement, and scale intervention practices.
- Implementing proven practical solutions to reduce musculoskeletal injuries experienced by workers.
- Increased efficiency through improved manual handling practices.
- Implementing our solutions will not only reduce workplace injuries but also lower ACC levies and improve worker satisfaction.
By implementing proven ergonomic practices, businesses can improve workplace efficiency, increase employee satisfaction, and contribute to a reduction in ACC levies across the sector.
New initiatives
ShopCare is driving several initiatives to improve ergonomics within the retail sector and its supply chain. These projects aim to reduce injury risks and promote a safer, healthier work environment.
Design thinking in ergonomics
ShopCare takes a user-focused approach to address specific ergonomic challenges within the sector. It involves pilot programmes targeting non-AEP retailers, manufacturers, and transporters in Aotearoa New Zealand and partnerships with technology providers and ergonomic experts to develop practical and innovative long-term solutions.
We’re proud to partner with Soter Analytics, a global leader in safety technology whose AI-driven wearable devices, video analysis, and expert injury prevention help boost productivity, efficiency and safety culture.
Interested in becoming a Soter Analytics customer? Click here to receive an exclusive discount as part of the ShopCare community.
Risk reduction: Early discomfort notification and intervention
This ShopCare initiative aims to standardise early intervention strategies to manage retail worker discomfort. By collaborating with stakeholders, we are developing resources to support early notification of discomfort, helping businesses prevent injuries before they escalate.
Return-to-Work best practice for GPs and employees
ShopCare is working with businesses and GPs to improve the return-to-work process for injured workers. We are currently developing resources for businesses to use when working with GPs.
Reviewing the approaches taken by some of our key stakeholders, this project will develop good practice guidance to improve worker rehabilitation outcomes at work. We are working with ACC to ensure we align our practice and promote the extensive work ACC has completed.
If you have a successful return-to-work process or learnings that you would like to share with the ShopCare community, please email us.
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WorkSafe
It’s important to know the expectations of WorkSafe for PCBUs (person conducting a business or undertaking):
- Implement good work design principles and practices in the work environment, which eliminate musculoskeletal risks or minimise them, so far as is reasonably practicable
- Engage with workers when identifying musculoskeletal risks and their controls, including when changing work processes
- Monitor the health of workers and the conditions at work to prevent WRMSDs (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders developing)
To support businesses to do this effectively, WorkSafe have created a range of helpful resources to help you improve outcomes for hazardous manual tasks. See these quick links below:
In addition, WorkSafe Queensland has a huge range of code of practice, tools and guides.
Valuable resources
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National Safety Council (USA)
Download a white paper detailing interventions that reduce musculoskeletal injuries at work.
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Health and Safety Executive (HSE) toolkit
Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety has a helpful toolkit for assessing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
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Canadian Centre of Occupational Health & Safety
A helpful recommended weight limit calculator.