Major deficiencies in the work environment in e-commerce companies

In recent years, e-commerce has exploded and, according to Postnord, e-commerce increased by 49 percent during the second quarter of 2020, as an effect of the corona pandemic.

Before Christmas shopping this year, a large part of the population is expected to buy their products online and therefore the volumes of packages at the terminals and delivery points of the country may be higher than ever.

But what is the job situation like for the people who handle the increasing number of packages? The Swedish Work Environment Authority wanted an answer to that question, so last year they launched an inspection targeting e-commerce. In a first phase, 435 parcel terminals and delivery points have been examined, the results show what the authority fears: There are important deficiencies in the work environment that pose risks for employees.

The inspection shows that 8 out of 10 workplaces it has shortcomings that need to be addressed. Most of the cases concern working in a preventive work environment, which is important to combat injuries and accidents at work.

– We have seen that some workplaces do not have any routine, others have routines but are not followed. If you don’t work preventively and have a system, the risk of problems increases, much of it is based on the fact that employers and employees have very little knowledge about the risks, says Eric Storbjörk, work environment inspector and manager of project on inspection.

One of the biggest risks For those who work with package handling it is all about loading ergonomics. In many workplaces, packages are handled manually, which can put great pressure on the hands, arms, and back of staff. Although most packages are not heavy, the body load increases due to the volumes.

Injuries often don’t show up right away, but according to Eric Storbjörk, people who, for example, lift incorrectly can have significant body problems later in life.

– Our bodies can endure a lot, but the overload that occurs with too high weights, unhealthy work positions and high frequency in driving only becomes apparent in the long run, that’s the insidious thing. It is worrying that knowledge about this is scarce and one wonders what it will be like in ten years for the people who work in these sectors, says Eric Storbjörk.

The next step in the Swedish Work Environment Authority review is inspecting e-commerce warehouses. In early autumn, DN reported significant deficiencies at the Apotea online pharmacy store in Morgongåva. Employees have witnessed unsustainable stress, in which you have to rush to have time to perform your tasks. Although the Swedish Work Environment Authority is still in the early stages with inspecting warehouses, Eric Storbjörk believes that it is already possible to see trends in significant deficiencies in the work environment even there.

Now he hopes that e-commerce companies will find solutions, to reduce risks for those who work in the industry. It may be about changing routines, investing in automated equipment, or hiring more people.

– In the parcel terminals there is a high turnover of personnel, we suspect that it is because it is hard work. There are many benefits to working with prevention. Employers can avoid sick leave and layoffs, and staff are better off, says Eric Storbjörk.

He continues.

– In our supervision, we visit only a fraction of employers in Sweden. It’s worrying that it looks like it does in workplaces that still know we’re coming. You wonder what the rest of the country will be like, says Eric Storbjörk.

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