Is your retail workplace adequately protecting workers from material handling injuries? Exploring that question now and filling in gaps is the best way for retail employers to prepare for a new year-long inspection campaign from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), says Laura Veldhuyzen, WSPS Specialized Consultant (Ergonomics). The campaign runs from April 2025 to March 2026.

MLITSD ergonomists are visiting retail workplaces of any size and type to ensure workers are safe from hazards that occur during the handling and movement of materials within the retail space - receiving, unpacking, storing, transporting, stocking, point of sale, customer assistance and delivery. These hazards can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), falls from ladders, and struck-by injuries. 

The campaign was launched in response to the growing number of material handling injuries in retail environments, says Laura. WSIB statistics show that within the retail sector, musculoskeletal disorders account for 30 percent of lost-time injury claims, and struck by injuries, 18 percent. “Between 2020 and 2024, the retail sector also had the second-highest injury count for lost-time ladder-related injuries.”

MSDs can occur during manual material handling that involves heavy lifting, twisting and turning, overreaching, and repetitive work. Falls from ladders, when ladders are placed on an unstable surface, at the wrong angle, or when workers use improper climbing techniques or have to overreach. Struck by injuries when shelving is unstable or overloaded, or when pedestrians and equipment are not kept away from each other.

The inspection process 

“The ergonomist will start with a walk-through of your workplace to ensure your business is in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA),” says Laura. (See sections 25 (1) (b) and Section 25(2) (a), (d) and (h)).

The walkthrough may involve: 

• taking measurements to determine MSD risk 
• observing work areas (delivering, receiving, storage, and point of sale) and tasks as they are performed (lifting, moving, placing and retrieving materials)
• examining equipment used for transporting, moving and accessing loads. 

The ergonomist may also ask questions about:

• your Internal Responsibility System.  Do you have a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or health and safety representative (HSR), and are they carrying out workplace inspections, including documenting MSD hazards? Are you posting the required documents in an accessible place? 
• if workers have experienced MSDs or other injuries, and what tasks were involved 
• provide an overview of the related health and safety policies and procedures you have in place, including MSD prevention, safe material handling, safe ladder use and storage practices, and vehicle/pedestrian safety
• what training workers receive 

The MLITSD ergonomist will also ask to see documentation, including policies and procedures, and training records. “If the inspection reveals a contravention of the OHSA, the ergonomist can issue orders, or require the workplace to re-assess the risk of a particular hazard,” notes Laura. 

How to prepare for the inspection

Review your material handling activities, risks, and controls to ensure you have covered everything, suggests Laura. “If you spot red flags, take further action right away.” Here are Laura’s tips:

• Look for awkward posture, high force, repetitive movements, twisting and bending during material handling. “Are workers struggling or looking strained?” Have you provided training in safe material handling? Are items too heavy/awkward? Can you reduce the weight of boxes to something more manageable? Or use carts to move materials?
• Pay attention to housekeeping. “If there are no extra boxes or cases on the floor, workers won’t have to reach over them, and it allows for a better flow of goods,” notes Laura. 
• Make sure items are stored safely in the store and in the back. “If goods are stacked too high, they will be difficult to access and are more likely to fall and strike a worker,” says Laura. “Too low, and the workers must bend repeatedly, putting strain on their backs.” Is the storage system stable?
• Are workers using the proper type of ladder? Have they received training on ladder safety? 
• Monitor equipment/pedestrian interactions inside and outside in the parking lot and receiving areas. Are workers wearing high-visibility clothing? Do you have pedestrian walkways? 

How WSPS can help

Resources 

• 5 ways to reduce vehicle struck-by risks: Lessons learned from a tragedy (article)
• Prepare for Inspections: Manual Material Handling (guide)
• Prepare for Inspections: Storage Systems (guide)
• Ergo Insights: Safe Manual Material Handling Guide
• Safety in the Workplace Poster for Retail Workers
• Major Hazards in the Retail Sector (video)
• Job Aid: Mobile Ladders and Platforms
• Ladder Safety Toolkit
• Palletizing Ergonomics Video
• Hazard Control Guides on Safe Lifting and Pedestrian Safety for workers, supervisors, and employers
• Ladder Safety in Retail & Restaurants (pre-recorded webinar)

Consulting

WSPS expert consultants can help you identify and control MSDs and risks related to ladder safety and struck-by injuries in your workplace. 

Training 

• Ladder Safety Online Training (eCourse, 1 hour)
• Safe Lifting & Manual Material Handling Training (onsite instructor-led training, ½ day)

Other Resources

• Safely Using Portable Ladders - CCOHS
• MSD Prevention: Hands Below Head - CRE-MSD

The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date.