27 October 2025
The Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) has recently carried out ten focussed inspections to companies associated with retail stock to ensure suitable systems were in place to manage the risks associated with the replenishment of stock.
This targeted initiative was developed after eight work related injuries involving the movement of stock were reported to the HSI, either through RIDDOR notifications or the Social Security Short-Term Incapacity Allowance (STIA). The injuries reported included sprained ankles, rib fractures, tendon tears and back pain. Four of the accidents involved the use of roll cages, and another two mentioned lifting heavy goods.
This initiative gave an opportunity to discuss and offer guidance to help ensure better risk management.
The key findings were as follows:
- under Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 all employers have a legal duty to assess the risks to the health and safety of their employees to which they are exposed while they are at work. Some of the risk assessments viewed during this initiative were inadequate in detail, were not site specific or had not been reviewed regularly. It is good practice to review risk assessments annually, or sooner if there has been an accident or changes in the workplace
- the movement and loading of roll cages results in many injuries, mainly related to manual handling. Injuries result from pushing/pulling especially up slopes, trying to prevent roll cages overbalancing, repetitive loading and unloading and trapping hands and feet. Discussion took place regarding the merits of pushing versus pulling of these cages. It was highlighted that in some cases the process being carried out was contrary to what was recorded in the risk assessment
- keeping records of incidents helps to identify patterns of accidents and injuries, so you can better assess and manage risk in your workplace. It was apparent that employees were not always reporting accidents at the time and they were only coming to light when a subsequent period of absence was required. If the employer is not aware of what is happening, they are not in a position to review their control measures and make adjustments where necessary
In September this year the HSI introduced a voluntary RIDDOR reporting process, where employers, employees and members of the public can report a workplace incident or accident. A link to the online form can be found here Reporting workplace incidents and accidents (RIDDOR) . Concerns can also be raised to the HSI by emailing hsi@gov.je.
Further guidance
Warehousing and storage: A guide to health and safety HSG76
Manual handling at work: a brief guide indg143
Making the best use of lifting and handling aids
Roll cages and wheeled racks, HSE
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