News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

OSHA News Release: [05/28/2004]
Contact Name: Al Belsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999

Ergonomics Guidelines Announced for Retail Grocery Stores

WASHINGTON—OSHA Administrator John Henshaw today announced the release of industry-specific guidelines for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in grocery stores. OSHA’s Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores provide practical recommendations to help grocery store employers and employees reduce the number and severity of injuries in their workplaces.

These voluntary guidelines are intended to build upon the progress that the grocery store industry has made in addressing the causes of these injuries.

“Working with trade associations, labor organizations and individual grocery stores, we have developed these guidelines which are practical tools that have been shown to reduce work-related injuries in retail grocery stores,” Henshaw said. “It has been a pleasure to work with organizations that strive to improve workplace safety and health and that are willing to develop and share practices like these so others can benefit.”

The guidelines emphasize various solutions that have been implemented by grocery stores across the country and have been effective in reducing work-related injuries and illnesses. An “Implementing Solutions” section offers examples of ergonomic solutions that may be used to control exposure to ergonomic risk factors in grocery stores. The section includes corrective actions, including checkout, shelf stocking, bakery, produce and meat departments.

“Many grocery stores have taken substantial steps to address work-related MSDs,” added Henshaw, “and these facilities demonstrate methods that are available to better protect workers in grocery stores from injury.”

OSHA will be working with trade, labor, and professional organizations to assure these guidelines and other effective practices are accessible and implemented where appropriate. OSHA’s free consultation service will be available to assist small employers.

OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

# # #

_________________________________________________________________