The workforce
This industry grouping covers a wide range of activities, separated into 11 groups
- Grocery, liquor and tobacco product wholesaling
- Timber and hardware goods wholesaling
- Other machinery and equipment wholesaling
- Agricultural product wholesaling
- Mineral, metal and chemical wholesaling
- Specialised industrial machinery and equipment wholesaling
- Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts wholesaling
- Textile, clothing and footwear wholesaling
- Pharmaceutical and toiletry goods wholesaling
- Furniture, floor covering and other goods wholesaling
- Commission-based wholesaling
2% of the total Tasmanian workforce
84% of workers are employed full time
26% of workers are employed in Grocery, Liquor and Tobacco Product Wholesaling, making it the largest employing groups
The injuries
204 injuries across the industry group in 2017
30% of injuries over the last ten years resulted in at least one week off work
6.7 serious injuries per million hours worked, 23% lower than the state average of 8.7
13% lower serious injury frequency rate than ten years ago, lower than the statewide decrease of 16% in the same period
The people
Grocery, liquor and tobacco product wholesaling had the highest serious injury frequency rate, closely followed by Timber and hardware goods wholesaling
Grocery, liquor and tobacco product wholesaling accounted for 41% of injuries
Occupations with the Highest Percentage of Serious Injuries
- 25% Storepersons
- 9% Truck drivers
- 8% Miscellaneous labourers
- 7% Sales assistants 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
- Safe movement of vehicles and plant
- Mental health conditions