Warehouse work involves repetitive movements, heavy lifting, awkward postures and prolonged standing. Poor workplace design and inadequate ergonomic controls can lead to musculoskeletal disorders affecting the back, shoulders, wrists and knees.
Manual handling tasks such as lifting boxes, stacking pallets and loading vehicles are common sources of injury. In fast-paced environments, workers may perform these tasks repeatedly without sufficient rest or mechanical assistance.
Warehouse layout and equipment design also create hazards: narrow aisles, poorly marked traffic routes, insufficient separation between pedestrians and vehicles, unmanaged warehouse traffic, work at height, and deficient building vehicle and maintenance increase risk to workers. Poorly designed workstations can contribute to repetitive strain injuries. Workers performing order picking or packing tasks may adopt awkward postures if equipment is not adjustable or properly positioned. Equipment and PPE designed around an average male physique add further risk for women workers and create a barrier to inclusion.
For more on ergonomic and design-related risks, see the Risks Across Transport guidance.