The workforce

This industry grouping covers a wide range of activities, separated into 14 groups.

• Motor Vehicle Retailing
• Motor Vehicle Parts and Tyre Retailing
• Fuel Retailing
• Supermarket and Grocery Stores
• Specialised Food Retailing
• Furniture, Floor Coverings, Houseware and Textile Goods Retailing
• Electrical and Electronic Goods Retailing
• Hardware, Building and Garden Supplies Retailing
• Recreational Goods Retailing
• Clothing, Footwear and Personal Accessory Retailing
• Department Stores
• Pharmaceutical and Other Store-Based Retailing
• Non-Store Retailing
• Retail Commission-Based Buying and/or Selling

12% of the total Tasmanian workforce

45% of workers are employed full time

50% aged 34 and under

The injuries

604 injuries across the industry group in 2017

34% of injuries over the last ten years resulted in at least one week off work

7 serious injuries per million hours worked, 11% lower than the state average of 7.9

Serious injury frequency rate stayed steady over the last ten years, while state average decreased 18% during the same time

The People

45-54 year olds report the highest serious injury frequency rates

Motor Vehicle Parts and Tyre Retail and Non Store Retailing had the highest serious injury frequency rates despite a low number of claims

Occupations with the Highest Percentage of Serious Injuries

• 8% Storepersons
• 45% Sales Assistant and Salespersons

The causes

The most common causes of injury across the industry

• Body stressing
• Falls, slips and trips
• Being hit by moving objects
• Mental stress

Action areas

Priority conditions and causes identified in the WorkSafe Strategic Plan 2018-2023 relevant to the industry

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Hazardous manual task
• Slips, trips and falls
• Mental health conditions