Protect your team from the top hazard in grocery retail: Tips to prevent musculoskeletal disorders

July 22, 2025

Jessica Bowes

Cashier serving a woman paying for her groceries at the greengrocer's shop.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is a not-for-profit occupational health and safety association committed to ensuring every worker goes home healthy and safe at the end of the day. As your dedicated health and safety association for the grocery retail industry, we are here to help with resources and support.

The food manufacturing industry and partners are working with WSPS to develop solutions that address the top risks for these businesses. In a recent study, this group identified the top risk in the sector as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). For more information and to access resources on the other top hazards in food and beverage wholesale distribution, visit this page.

In this article:

What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Top 10 causes of musculoskeletal disorders in grocery retail
Prevent musculoskeletal disorders in your business with these 3 expert recommendations
Musculoskeletal disorders resources and training

What are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?

Retail clerk working at the supermarket restocking the shelves.

MSDs are injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs with
symptoms including pain, tingling, and numbness. MSDs can be caused by a specific incident such
as lifting something too heavy; however, more often they occur slowly as workers are exposed to
hazards repeatedly over time. They are also one of the main causes of workplace injury in Ontario.

Top 10 causes of musculoskeletal disorders in grocery retail

Worker in a grocery store organizing boxes.

Inadequate training
Poor workplace design or layout
Poor technique
Lack of effective supervision
Lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of training
Lack of storage capacity
Fatigue
Inadequate or lack of safe work practices
Incorrect use of or failure to use equipment
Inadequate staffing

Prevent musculoskeletal disorders in your business with these 3 expert recommendations

Employee at cash register in supermarket, serving a customer.

The working group made five recommendations to address musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the grocery retail industry. Use the resources and training below to protect your business and team from MSDs.

1. Improve and support training for all workers. Develop a clear training guide focused on safe lifting and handling practices (known as manual material handling) to help prevent MSDs. This guide should teach employees how to move materials safely, use proper body mechanics, and operate equipment correctly. It also helps raise awareness about MSD risks, encourages early reporting of symptoms, and promotes consistent safety practices across the team. By standardizing this training, you ensure everyone has the skills and knowledge they need to work safely, ultimately fostering a safer and healthier work environment.

2. Ensure your supervisors understand their responsibilities. Supervisors are key to keeping the workplace safe and preventing injuries, including MSDs. When they understand their role and responsibilities, supervisors directly influence how safe work practices are implemented and maintained. For example, well-trained supervisors can:

spot MSD risks and take action,
ensure employees receive the proper training, and
respond quickly to early signs of strain or injury.

Supervisors also help enforce safe work practices and support a positive work culture. Well-trained supervisors don’t just improve safety, they also boost morale, productivity, and overall team performance. Investing in their training is a smart investment for both employee well-being and business success.

3. Reduce the risk of injury with ergonomic design and safe practices. Ergonomics means designing workspaces, tools, and tasks to fit the people who use them. Ensuring safe work practices and implementing ergonomic workplace design can help reduce the risk of MSDs. Work practices, such as teaching proper lifting techniques, using mechanical aids, and following safe handling procedures, can help reduce strain and injury. Ergonomic improvements, such as adjusting workstations and tools to fit the worker, also help minimize awkward movements and physical stress. These changes not only make the workplace safer but also improve efficiency and comfort for your team.

Learn more about preventing MSDs

Consulting

Ergonomics Consulting - WSPS experts will work with you and your staff to find personalized, cost-effective solutions to improve your work environment, protect your employees and your bottom line. Our experts can help you with: ergonomic assessments, MSD prevention programs, program development and implementation and more. Connect with a consultant to find out how we can support your workplace.

Resources