Working in a large retail chains entail performing broad and multifaceted tasks that require the use of the physical body in the execution of tasks. Many of the tasks performed by workers in large retail chains are hazardous manual tasks because they involve activities like carrying heavy loads, awkward postures, pulling, repetitive movements, and lifting. These activities cause many injuries to workers like strains, sprains, soft tissue injuries and disc injuries (Lich, 2004).
Although there are many ways in which the Wal-Mart supermarkets has complied with the principles and guidelines of preventing the injuries that result from hazardous manual tasks, there are some instances of non compliance to the acceptable standards of dealing with hazardous manual tasks at the retail store.
The major task in the retail store that does not comply with the acceptable safety and occupation standards in the supermarket include the lifting of heavy supplies at the supermarket. This report highlights the findings of a non-compliance program conducted at the retail store for non-compliance to hazardous manual tasks injury prevention. The aim of this report is highlighting the problem of non-compliance to hazardous manual tasks. The report also acts as a benchmark that can be used in reducing the number of workplace injuries by Wal-Mart retail store.
Summary of the findings of non-compliance to acceptable lifting techniques by workers at Wal-mart supermarket
Correct techniques of lifting heavy loads are very essential in preventing back pain and injuries. Many workers report pain and injuries per year all related to improper lifting techniques. Back injuries account for most of the back injuries and illnesses related to illnesses and most of the compensation claims by workers. Back injuries also result in lowered productivity of employees. Ninety percent of all back injuries happen in tasks that require weight lifting in most organizations (University of Texas, 2007).
At Wal-Mart supermarkets, the case is not different. Most of the workers who perform weight lifting tasks at the store are exposed to the risk of injury to their backs because of non-compliance of the supermarket to acceptable lifting techniques. The main causes of back injury to workers at Wal-Mart supermarkets include,
1) Work area layout and design. There is inadequate space for lifting some of the heavy products at the Wal-Mart because most of the space is taken by the display of items at the supermarket. The workers therefore, strain to maneuver some of the heavy loads and equipments in the store. Sometimes the workers are forced to use inappropriate postures while maneuvering products in the supermarket and this exposes them to the risk of back injuries (ISF, 2004).
2) There are instances where the employees of the supermarket attempt to lift loads that appear heavy or awkward to be carried by one person. This happens especially at times when the stores are busy with customers. This is against the code of proper lifting technique that requires workers to size up loads according to their lifting ability (University of Texas, 2007).
3) Sometimes the workers do not ensure a good footing or enough space for movement while lifting heavy loads (Lich, 2004). Proper lifting technique requires good footing and enough space for movement while lifting the heavy objects (Grainger, 2012).
4) Sometimes the workers stoop to lift heavy objects and keep their back straight while lifting heavy objects. This makes the workers prone to back injuries because they do not use the strongest muscles of the body while lifting heavy objects. The workers also stoop while lowering heavy objects instead of bending the knees (ISF, 2004). Correct lifting technique requires workers to bend while lifting heavy objects and keeping the back straight during the lifting process (UOT, 2007).
5) There are cases of repeated lifting tasks by workers that expose them to injury. Injury to the back of the body normally increases when people are fatigued (Grainger, 2012).
6) The workers also twist their body while lifting heavy objects. They also lift heavy objects at very high speed that exposes them to back injury (ISF, 2004). The workers also carry heavy objects when they are positioned very far away from the body (Lich, 2004). Correct lifting techniques require the carriers of heavy loads to carry them close to the body to minimize the risks of developing back problems (Grainger, 2012).
Proactive strategies to minimize injuries from poor lifting techniques at Wal-Mart supermarkets
The findings of this report have demonstrated that the majority of the workers at Wal-Mart supermarkets are not aware of the good lifting techniques while carrying heavy objects. The strategy that the store can use in minimizing the risk of back injuries due to poor lifting techniques include
1) Educating the workers of the supermarket on proper lifting techniques
Since most of the workers at the supermarket are not aware of the good lifting techniques, the supermarket needs to develop a training program for its workers on how to lift objects at the supermarkets. If workers obtain relevant training of good lifting techniques, they can avoid using bad lifting techniques and reduce the risk of back injuries (Grainger, 2004). Educating the staff about good lifting techniques makes them aware of the risks associated with poor lifting techniques (UOT, 2007).
A comprehensive training program of how to lift, carry and lowering heavy objects can make the staff at Wal-Mart supermarkets comply with the acceptable occupational safety and health standards of eliminating the tasks that cause injury to workers.
2) Proper workplace design
Some of the poor lifting techniques by workers of Wal-Mart supermarket are caused by a poor layout of the work design. Poor work layout makes the workers use poor postures and have difficulty moving heavy objects in the retail store , a work place redesign is necessarily to eliminate and minimize the risk of back problems and comply to occupational safety and health standards (ILRF, 2011). Some of the ways the supermarket can improve work processes in the store include
a) Mechanical lifting aids. This is the best way of preventing injuries in organizations because it eliminates manual tasks (UOT, 2007). Many mechanical lifting aids like fork lifts, pallet movers are available to suit the design and the nature of the work at the retail store that can make the retail store eliminate the risk of injuries that result from lifting task from its workers
b) Elimination of constrained workplaces
Lifting capacity of employees is enhanced when the workers have enough space for maneuvering heavy loads (Grainger, 2012). The supermarket should consider rearranging the store to give more space for handling and maneuvering heavy objects at the supermarket
c) Provision for team handling
Since most workers at the supermarket struggle to lift heavy objects on their own the, supermarket should consider organizing team lifting sessions for objects that are heavy for one or a few workers. The workers should help one another in reducing the weight of the objects while handling heavy objects. Team handling is a risk control measure that minimizes the risk of developing back problems (UOT, 2007).
d) A change in the location of loading supplies
Improvement in the work area design help reduce the distance heavy loads are to be carried by employees therefore reducing lifting needs and lifting injuries (Grainger, 2012). The company can reduce the risk of injuries by minimizing the distance of storage of supplies to the distance the supplied s are stored.
Table showing other occupational and safety standards relevant to researching hazardous manual tasks
occupational safety and health standard
Relevance of guideline to Wal-Mart’s case
International labor organization (ILO) occupational safety and health convection(1981) No 155 revised 2002
1) ILO issued the Technical and ethical guidelines for workers health surveillance (OSH 72) act in 2001 as a guide the handling of workers by employers (ILO, 2012).
2) Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health Management Systems Issued In 2001 by International labor organization (ILO, 2012).
These guidelines require good policies of protecting workers from occupational risks and hazards. They are relevant to Wal-Mart case because they stipulate improvement of the working conditions of employees for better productivity.
United states Department Of Labor Occupational Safety And Health Administration standards
Under OSHA ACT, of the Department Of Labor updated in the year 2012), Code 1910, sub part J 145) the occupational health and safety administration states that employers must Publish specifications for accident prevention tags and signs in the workplace.
2) OSHA ACT on Confined spaces 1910, sub part H 176 F the materials handling guidelines require all employees working in enclosed places to be provided with appropriate working environments.
These standards are relevant to Wal-Mart case because they stipulate that the company must provide awareness to employees of the risks associated with their work and the protective measures.
Retail wholesale and departmental union (UFCW) standards
Under the health guidelines of the retail wholesale and departmental stores workers (2012), the union requires all retail stores to;
1) Provide appropriate equipments and clothing for lifting tasks in the retail store.
2)Adherence to correct procedures of weight lifting standing and carrying of heavy loads
These guidelines are relevant to Wal-Mart because they address the way the company can deal with the risk associated with poor lifting techniques.
International Labor Rights Forum
The International Labor Rights Forum guidelines on creating a sweat free world seeks to eliminate sweatshop conditions and labor rights violations in trade policy in the United States (ILRF,2011)
ILRF has a specific program that targets Wal-Mart workers in the United states due to retail chain labor rights violations.
Conclusion
The purpose of this report was to highlight the hazardous manual tasks at Wal-Mart retail chain that do not comply with the acceptable local , national and international standards of dealing with hazardous manual tasks. The main task identified in this report is non-compliance to proper weight lifting technique by the workers of the retail chain. The strategies identified by this report of eliminating and reducing the risk of improper lifting technique are workplace redesign and proper lifting technique educational programs.
If Wal-Mart retail chain follows the recommendations and highlights of this report, it can eliminate or reduce the risk of injury to its workers because of improper lifting techniques. Elimination and reduction of injury to its workers can improve worker productivity and eliminate litigation claims from its injured employees. If the retail chain also adopts the guidelines of this report, the supermarket can comply with international acceptable standards of occupational safety and health.
References
Grainger (2012) Proper lifting techniques. Retrieved from http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/static/proper-lifting-techniques-221.html
International Labor rights Forum (2011) ILRF projects creating a sweat free world. Retrieved
International Labor Organization (2012) occupational safety and health. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-labour standards/occupational-safety-and-health/lang--en/index.htm
International Socialist Organization (2004) Taking on Wal-Mart. Retrieved from http://socialistworker.org/2004-2/504/504_05_WalMart.shtml
Lich T. (2004) Wal-mart: template for 21st century capitalism .Santa Barbara: University of California
RWDSU (2012) health and safety in the retail industry. Retrieved from http://www.rwdsu.org/
US Department Of Labor (2012) OSHA laws and regulations. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/law-regs.html
