Every year in the NSW consumer and business services industry more than 2600 people are seriously injured or suffer from illness related to manual handling. This represents about 35 per cent of all injuries from this industry.
This costs the NSW consumer and business services industry about $60 million a year in direct costs.
Generally manual handling in consumer and business services affects the back, shoulder, wrists, abdomen and pelvic region. The most common injuries include sprains and strains, damage to muscles and tendons and soft tissues, and hernia problems.
Black spots
Manual handling injuries in consumer and business services are often caused when lifting or carrying cartons, cleaning or using computers.
Occupations that are black spots for manual handling injuries include:
- cleaners
- hospitality workers
- labourers
- tellers and bankers.
Sectors within the consumer and business services industry that are prone to manual handling injuries include:
- cleaning services
- hotels and motels
- pubs and clubs
- cafes and restaurants
- banks.
WorkCover has a number of resources to help you address manual handling problems in consumer and business services.
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