Heavy items can seriously hurt your staff. Lifting today cause about 30% of all retail workplace accidents. If you get one the person will probably be out for months. Now there's no single weight limit by law, Safe Work Australia used to say 45 kg needs extra care now they says anything over 16-18kg lifted repeatedly, or over 25-30kg lifted occasionally, creates a danger to your workers. Preventing these injuries can save you money, keeps staff happy, and avoid expensive compensation claims.
Your POS system can help prevent these accidents.
Use Your POS System to Warn Staff About Heavy Items
Modern POS systems like ours have a built-in safety feature in that you can mark heavy items with a special flag so everyone knows to be careful.
Here's how it works: Go to your stock maintenance screen, click on a heavy product, and tick the "heavy item" checkbox.
Now, whenever looks up that product on the computer they'll see a clear warning. This means your staff will know to get help or use a trolley before they try to lift something dangerous.
Here are some hacks that can reduce the problem.
Smart Storage Saves Backs
Where you put heavy items on shelves makes a huge difference to safety.
Always store heavy products between your mid-thigh and shoulder height. The best spot is waist height because staff can lift without bending or reaching. Put light things like cards, wrapping paper, and magazines on the top shelves. Never put heavy items up high—lifting above your shoulders doing this is just asking for trouble.
Also, don't store other products behind heavy items. If staff have to move heavy boxes every time they need something else, you're multiplying the injury risk for no reason.
Create Clear Safety Rules
Your team needs to know exactly what to do with heavy items.
Two-Person Rule
Make it clear which items need two people to move. A good rule is that anything over 25kg always needs two people. More importantly, make sure your staff feel comfortable asking for help, many injuries happen because people try to lift alone when they shouldn't.
Buy the Right Equipment
Trolleys and hand carts are cheap insurance. They cost far less than one workplace injury claim. Make sure you have enough equipment so staff can easily move heavy stock from delivery to storage.
Work With Your Suppliers
Talk to your suppliers about making deliveries safer.
Why This Matters
Beside the legal problems, no wants anyone to get hurt?
Flag heavy items in your POS System. Then organise shelves, and equip staff with the right tools to reduce injuries.
