Understanding Manual Handling Injuries in the Sales and Service Industry

In 2025, there were more than 2.3 million people employed in the Sales and Service Workforce (Safe Work Australia, 2026). A recent data profile from Safe Work Australia focused on the Sales and Service Industry (workers in hospitality, retail and food trade) demonstrated that manual handling and body stress are some of the most common injuries that occur. Body stressing is the leading cause of serious injury, accounting for “40.8% of all serious claims” (Safe Work Australia, 2026). It is crucial for employers and employees to understand how and why these injuries occur, and employers have a responsibility to reduce the risk of these occurring. This blog will discuss manual handling injuries within the Sales and Service Industry, how they occur, and what employers can do to prevent these in the workplace.

Manual Handling: A Significant Workplace Risk

As mentioned, 40.8% of serious claims among Sales and Service workers are attributed to body stressing, compared to 36.5% across all occupations. This is a 4% increase just for this industry. More than half (51%) of these claims involve muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects (Safe Work Australia, 2026). This could include objects such as boxes, cartons, crates, drums, cases, barrels and kegs. According to this data profile from Safe Work Australia, “traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injury” led the greatest number of serious claims between 2008-09 to 2023-24, with 108,213 claims. This type of injury also occurs “approximately 2.6 times more often” than other common injuries for Sales and Service workers (Safe Work Australia, 2026). Hence, physical and manual handling injuries remain very common for Sales and Services workers and should be dealt with high importance by employers.

What is Considered Manual Handling?

Manual handling can involve a variety of tasks other than lifting heavy objects, such as:

• Repetitive movements.
• Prolonged standing.
• Bending and twisting.
• Kneeling, crouching and stooping.
• Repeated low-force tasks.

Particularly within the Sales and Service Industry, injuries can occur from repetitive tasks that are not over exerting but done over extended periods of time. These include stocking shelves, wiping surfaces and scanning items. The data profile from Safe Work Australia highlighted that repetitive movement injuries were not the most common serious claims. However, they resulted in almost six weeks more time lost and almost $10,000 more median compensation than other body-stressing injuries.

Types of Injuries Caused by Manual Handling

Manual handling can contribute to a range of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly those affecting the joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. As previously mentioned, traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries are highly common amongst the Sales and Service Workforce (Safe Work Australia, 2026). These injuries can result from lifting and carrying, but also from repetitive movements, bending, twisting and other physically demanding tasks performed throughout the working day. Understanding the types of injuries that can occur highlights why identifying manual handling risks early and providing workers with the right knowledge and training is so important.

How Employers Can Reduce Manual Handling Risks

Employers within the Sales and Service Industry can undertake a variety of practical measures to reduce manual handling risks and prevent serious injuries. These include:

• Identify hazardous manual tasks.
• Review how frequently tasks are performed and how many repetitive movements employees are performing.
• Rotate or vary repetitive tasks where possible.
• Consider workplace layout and storage.
• Reduce unnecessary lifting and carrying.
• Introduce mechanical aids where appropriate.
• Review incidents and near misses.
• Encourage early reporting and intervention.
• Provide appropriate training and supervision.

The Importance of Manual Handling Training

An effective way to help reduce manual handling risks is by providing Manual Handling Training. At Recovery Partners, we offer Manual Handling Training to improve the skills of your staff in identifying manual handling risks and how to apply manual handling principles on a day-to-day basis. This training forms part of a broader approach to managing hazardous manual tasks, other practical measures still must be taken.

Manual Handling Training provides a variety of benefits to businesses within the Sales and Service Industry, such as:

• Recognising manual handling hazards – Learn to identify risks when moving stock, products, equipment and customer items.
• Understanding safer ways to perform common tasks.
• Appropriate lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling techniques – Safely move stock, boxes, equipment and trolleys.
• Using equipment or mechanical aids where appropriate – Help reduce physical strain when moving heavier or awkward items.
• Knowing when to ask for assistance – Recognise when a task requires additional support to be completed safely.
• Recognising early signs of discomfort or injury – Learn to identify early signs of strain from repetitive or physically demanding tasks.
• Encouraging workers to report hazards and injuries early – Support early reporting to prevent minor issues from becoming more serious.