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NIOSH Programs > Wholesale and Retail Trade > Emerging Issues
Wholesale and Retail TradeInputs: Emerging IssuesA number of emerging issues within the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector will influence the pattern of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Many of these emerging issues are linked to the changes in the economy and the global market that are having an impact on all industry sectors to varying degrees. The Wholesale and Retail Trade sector is noteworthy for the number of workers (21 million) that are required to staff the 1.6 million trade-related workplaces in the United States . The trade sector has a continuing need for workers, turnover is high, many of the jobs are entry level, skill levels may be low, and as a result the sector attracts a diverse workforce of both very young and older workers. One task for the Wholesale and Retail Trade Research Council will be to develop a research agenda that will adequately identify the emerging issues and prepare the research goals needed to address them. Some of the emerging issues include the following: (1) long work hours, (2) shift work, and (3) work stress from serving the public, either in direct or telemarketing sales. Health and retirement benefits are disappearing, which can cause work-related stress in managing illnesses. Just in time shipping and order filling is increasing causing time pressure and lack of work control. Psychosocial problems are increasing that can fuel workplace violence. Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a burden to workers, but the stress loads are shifting from the low back and legs to the upper extremities and shoulders/neck. This is occurring as a consequence of materials handling equipment reducing the lifting burdens but increasing the need to use keyboards and monitoring systems. Researcher will need to be sensitive to low force and high speed repetitive activities and static postures. It is expected that as the research agenda for the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector is developed, more emerging issues will be identified that will require continuing research.
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NIOSH Program:Wholesale and Retail Trade |
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