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12 July 2005 - USDAW Supporting HSE Backs
2005 for Checkout Operators
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The Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) are
backing the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Backs 2005 Campaign, in a bid to
reduce the number of back problems received by checkout operators.
Union Safety Representatives will be actively involved in the
HSE Backs 2005 Campaign, by providing information from checkout operators,
identifying problem areas and suggesting practical solutions to the benefit of
the operators and the company.
USDAW is promoting the following message:
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Identification and early reporting of back symptoms.
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Making sure the correct treatment is initiated.
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Introducing of planned rehabilitation, thus reducing risk of
repeat problem.
Usdaw General Secretary, Mr. John Hannett commented:
“There’s not many industries where workers are expected to
handle two tonnes of products every four hours. So it’s vital that
checkouts are well designed to reduce back problems which currently cost British
industry 4.9 million working days every year and result in untold misery for our
members.
“Two people in every hundred suffer back pain which can ruin
careers, but the human cost is far, far worse making it difficult to carry out
basic tasks at home. Imagine being in so much pain you can’t even pick
your children or grandchildren up, then you get an idea of how disabling this
very common condition can be.”
Usdaw’s national Health and Safety Officer, Mr. Doug Russell
said:
"There are some simple ways to reduce back pain.
The introduction of ‘scan and pack’ is supposed to improve customer service but
we think that customers would be happy to pack their own bags if it helped
reduce back problems for staff.
"The simple steps to prevent back pain include making sure
that operators can swap between seating and standing when they need to, narrower
conveyor belts so the goods are carried directly to staff and the ability for
checkout operators to slide heavy goods, like cases of beer, straight over the
scanner so they don’t have to lift them.
“A really simple idea is to have extra space behind the
checkout which means the operator can push the goods down to the shopper with no
resistance so they can get on with their packing much quicker.”
The HSE Backs 2005 Campaign can be accessed by clicking the
following:
HSE Backs 2005
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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