If you sell newspapers and magazines then you face another risk (other than that of dealing with a set of wholesalers whose behaviour would have long ago got them booted out of the grocery world). The manual handling of newspapers and magazines can cause strains or serious injuries which, if allowed to build up, may end with permanent disability later in life. You may think it is easier to lift two-handed because it helps to balance the load and speeds up the job. But this could put serious pressure on the spine. Bundle weight is an important factor and the Printing Industry Advisory Committee has agreed with industry a maximum bundle weight of 18kg and a target maximum weight of 17kg. Newsagents can cut the risk to themselves, to those who deal with return bundles and to their delivery staff by following this advice. - Try to use a front-opening rather than a top-opening secure delivery box because these eliminate the need to reach over the rim and down to the base. - If you have a top-opening delivery box which will not be filled to capacity, put something like a stout box in the base. This will raise the load and avoid the need to stoop when lifting. - Use a porter's trolley to move the bundles into and out of the shop. - Split large bundles into more manageable quantities. - Check with the trading standards office about regulations on weight limits that may apply to juveniles (usually 15kg). Use this information in your manual handling risk assessments and make sure the news boys and girls are not required to carry anything so heavy that it could injure them. - Avoid overloading by splitting rounds and perhaps transporting parts to pre-arranged pick-up points for your news deliverers. And regularly check their bikes. {{GROCER CLUB }}