Retail workers are at a higher risk of harm during peak shopping periods, warns WorkSafe ACT.

Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius implores the ACT community to be kind and considerate to our retail workers this festive season.

“It is a busy time of year for our retail sector with the celebration weekend so close and the temptations of the Boxing Day and New Year’s sales around the corner,” she said.

“We must remember, these workers are our parents, our children, our loved ones, and our friends, and work-related violence and aggression are not acceptable. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace.”

WorkSafe ACT’s dedicated psychosocial team are working with 20 retail businesses to ensure their policies and procedures for psychosocial hazards – including workplace violence and aggression, bullying, and sexual harassment – are adequate and firmly in place.

The agency’s inspectors also issued notices relating to the high demand for stock during the Christmas period, including breaches for:

•           emergency routes and exits blocked by boxed stock;

•           poor pallet storage; and

•           out of date or excess stock stored in electrical switch rooms.

Commissioner Agius urged all businesses to put safety first to make sure we all get home safely.

Meanwhile, in the residential construction sector, following the death of a worker at Taylor, inspectors have completed 57 workplace visits and issued 71 notices since 9 December.

WHS breaches observed in residential construction had not changed through 2021, Commissioner Agius said.

“We are still seeing significant and unsafe work practices across the board: site security, inadequate amenities, and not managing the risk of falls.”

WorkSafe ACT will be out in the field throughout the holiday season, responding to work health and safety issues and visiting workplaces.

You can phone WorkSafe ACT on 6207 3000, after hours on 0419 120 028, or email them at [email protected].