Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

Risk Manual Handling

Who might be harmed? Staff, especially those involved in deliveries, and Customers

Existing Control Measures Heavy merchandise displayed on waist level shelves. Assistance given to customers when requested. Heavy items taken to customers car on suitable trolley. Stock room arranged to provide easy access to stock on shelving i.e. so no constraints on posture when lifting and carrying stock. Load weights reduced by breaking down delivered boxes into smaller items, which are then loaded onto trolleys/cages. Cages and trolleys regularly checked for defects and repaired/replaced as required. Only trained staff authorised to deal with deliveries. Individual capacities assessed before assigning to new lifting tasks. Individuals assessed when return to work after any injury and duties restricted where necessary, this is recorded. Staff trained in all areas to allow task rotation. Till staff given regular breaks, at least every four hours. Tills have scanner gun attachment so heavy items can be scanned in trolley. Ladder training incorporated into manual handling training. Industrial quality ladders used (EN131 standard). Daily user check procedure in place and all staff aware. Two staff required when moving stock up higher stepladder. Stepladder tall enough for highest tasks available. Various height stepladders available and staff trained how to select correct size for task.

Additional Measures required Display signage that advises customers to seek assistance with heavier items. Trial cage pullers to see if these reduce initial force involved in getting cages moving. All lifting and carrying tasks to be assessed using MAC assessment.

Work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) Falls from heights using ladders

Staff, especially till staff

Staff and contractors

Employees to be trained to recognise symptoms of WRULDs. Procedure to be set up for reporting problems to management (at present informal) Health surveillance should be provided. Ladder-register to be kept and ladders to be formally inspected every six months but checked either before use or weekly. See contractors below.

Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

Slips and Trips

Staff and customers

Being struck by falling objects

Staff and customers

Fire

Staff and customers

Tile/wood floors are non-slip and kept water free. Procedure and equipment provided to deal with spills and broken objects. Spillages dry mopped so area not left unattended while still wet with just a wet-floor sign displayed. Warning signs provided and used when floor cleaning being carried out. Trailing cables eliminated by positioning equipment near sockets. Vacuum cleaners / hoses used when store closed. Non-slip matting at entrance/exit. Ice and snow cleared from entrances. Fallen leaves removed from footpaths. Handrails in place on ramps/steps leading to entrance. All stairs within the business are suitable and in good condition with handrails that are in good condition and secure. All areas well lit. Display stands are secure and cannot fall over. Racking in storeroom secured to walls or floor. Stock stacked safely i.e. heavy items at waist height, stacked with weight evenly distributed and few items stacked one on another. No smoking allowed on store premises. Walkways kept clear and free from obstruction. Fire exit doors open outwards and are unlocked when anyone is in store. Fire detectors installed and regularly tested. Fire alarm installed and tested.

Monitor for accidents to see if procedures are being followed or more control measures required. Actively observe staff to see if they are using handrails provided and whether they tend to rush around.

Managers to regularly check storeroom throughout day to ensure stock neatly and evenly stacked.

Regular fire drills to be carried out, some of these during opening hours so carried out when customers are in-store. Evacuations to be timed and evaluated. Managers to regularly check store and stock room area to check escape routes kept clear.

Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

Electricity

Staff and customers

Fire exits marked with statutory signs. Fire extinguishers located in correct accessible positions, wall mounted and tested annually. Emergency lighting installed, regularly tested and maintenance carried out. Maintenance and testing recorded. Emergency lighting on all stairwells. Escape route signs linked to back-up system. All electrical equipment is Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) tested. Systems for staff to report electrical equipment failure and replacement. Enough sockets have been provided for number of electrical items used thus are not overloaded. All hazardous chemicals/substances used in the business identified and hazard data sheets obtained from manufacturer/supplier. Suitable and sufficient COSHH assessments undertaken on each item and PPE provided were necessary. Employees instructed in safe use of substances before use. Employees provided with and trained in the use of PPE where needed. Parking spaces clearly marked with good access and egress. Speed restrictions and speed ramps in place in the car park. Designated parking spaces for disabled and those with children places near to store entrance. Grit used when icy conditions.

COSHH E.g. bleach

Staff

Ensure staffs are trained in the safe use of electrical equipment; add into induction training pack. First aiders to be trained in treatment of electrical shock Ensure that hard wiring is inspected every five years. When purchasing substances the safest option for undertaking the activity should be considered i.e. substitute hazardous chemicals for non-hazardous chemicals.

Car Park risk of impact injuries from moving vehicles and slips/trips

Customers and visitors

Regular checks of painted lines required ensuring visibility. Potholes require filling ASAP. Look into providing protected safe walkways marked out within the car park for the public.

Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

Violence and Aggression

Staff

Cash banked at varying times and days. More than one person takes money to the bank. Staff provided with training in self-protection.

Temperature and Ventilation Young Persons (1618)

Staff

Thermometers provided in till and stock room areas. Aim for temperature of 20-23C for till workers, but not less than 16C.

Look into employing the services of a security company to collect takings. Provide employees with a bag that looks like what they would normally carry to carry takings. Air ducts and grills require regular cleaning to ensure they remain free of dust and debris.

Staff

Women of child bearing age

Pregnant women and nursing mothers

Young persons restricted from certain manual handling tasks None required e.g. dealing with delivery pallets. Physical capacity is assessed before young person starts work and tasks restricted as appropriate. Restricted from working in freezer or using compactor. Written procedure that indicates to female workers their None required obligation to notify the company in writing if they become pregnant. Pregnant workers not allowed to work alone. Pregnant and nursing mothers restricted from manual handling operations involving physical effort, only light loads permitted and tasks are individually assessed. Other staff to carry out lifting operations. Pregnant and nursing mothers restricted from cleaning, thus limiting exposure to chemicals. Length of shifts and number of days worked reduced as necessary depending on levels of physical or mental tiredness experienced by expectant and new mothers. This is guided by regular consultations with employee and doctors notes.

Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

Stress

Staff

Ensure employees skills and competencies match job requirements, especially at recruitment stage.

Lone Working

Managers (when closing and opening store) and delivery drivers.

Trolleys and carry baskets Contractors

Customers

Doors

Themselves and others affected by their work. Staff and customers

Only competent staff allowed to work alone. Staff working alone restricted from working at heights i.e. on stepladders. Emergency contact available via phone and their number is entered on speed dial. All drivers have mobile phones. Lone workers closing the store are required to phone into head office with taking details at end of shift. If this does not occur within one hour of expected time head office would contact emergency contact staff member to go and investigate. Trolleys and baskets regularly checked for defects, especially stability and controllability of trolleys. Defective equipment repaired or replaced as required. Contractors work observed regularly by in-store management to ensure work is being carried out in a safe manner so staff or public are not harmed. Glass doors have markings, which enable them to be seen. Automatic doors have override switch. Mechanisms regularly checked and serviced to ensure doors open and close correctly. VDU workstation checklist completed for all regular users, please refer to Safety Policy for definition of regular user. Free eye and eyesight tests provided for all regular users.

Training for managers and staff in identifying and managing stress required. Monitor absences for frequent short duration sicknesses, headaches, neck and shoulder pains and other stress indicators. No further action required.

None required

A manager to ensure that contractor equipment is suitable and fit for purpose. Managers to ensure contractors are familiar with emergency procedures and safety policy. None required.

DSE/VDU

Staff

Refer to individual assessments.

Example Risk Assessment Retail premises

First aid

Staff and public

Asbestos

Contractors

Suitable first aid kit and accident book provided. First aid kits readily accessible to staff. Various staff trained as first-aiders or appointed persons. At least one of these staff is always available during working hours. None

New style accident book required. Require a system to check the first aid contents are always kept date.

Survey to be carried out by registered contractor to identify if any asbestos on premises. If present, formulate an action plan and keep in a folder for contractors to be made aware of. If any damaged asbestos found it should be removed by licensed contractor and disposed of at licensed site.