SAFETY ISSUES IN RETAIL

Safety issues in retail can arise because of-

• Shoplifters.
• Mishandling of electrical equipments
• Fire emergency.
• Chemical hazards.
• Ergonomic hazards.
• Infectious diseases.
• Repetitive motion illness.
• Work place violence.
• Angry customers.
 Shoplifters
• Electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags.
• Spy cameras.
• Dummy cameras.
• Educate the staff.
• Token system at trial room.
• Dummy displays for expensive items.
• Security check on employees.
 Mishandling of electrical equipments
Most retail equipment use electric to work.
You can get injured by these items.

• Cash Registers/Scanners
• Trash Compactors
• Fork Lifts
 Fire emergency
• According to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration:
• “Workplace fires and explosions kill 200 and injure more than
5,000 workers each year”
• “In a workplace fire being able to evacuate quickly can mean
the difference between life or death. Workers may only have
seconds to safety evacuate a burning building.”
FIRE SAFETY MEASURES-
• Know where all of the fire exits are in case of a fire or other
emergency.
• Some doors are only to be used in an emergency; an alarm
may sound when these doors are opened.
 Chemical hazards
• Most retail stores are in “closed”
buildings, where windows cannot be opened
easily. Indoor air pollution is a possible hazard.

• Some retail stores sell cleaning solutions. Be careful

not to smell these or get them on your clothing or skin.

• Polluted air can be drawn into a building via the air

intakes. Gases are particles from truck exhausts, as
well as pollutants from the area are common indoor
air pollutants.
 Ergonomic hazards
• Ergonomic hazards refer to workplace conditions that
pose the risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system
of the worker. Examples of musculoskeletal injuries
include tennis elbow (an inflammation of a tendon in
the elbow) and carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition
affecting the hand and wrist).
• E.g.. Check stands that require the checker to unload
groceries are strenuous to the shoulders and back.
 Infectious diseases
• Wherever fresh meats and seafood are sold, diseases
are of concern.
• There are temperature requirements for these items.
• Stay away from these departments and items if you
are not working in the department.
 Repetitive Motion Illnesses
These crippling ailments of the hands, wrists,
arms, shoulders, neck and back come from
jobs which require repeating the same motion
many times during a shift.
 Work place violence
According to the Retail, Wholesale and Department
Store Union:
Annually, almost 1 million people are victims of
violent crime at work.
• Workplace violence includes-
• Verbal threats
• Abusive behavior
• Physical violence or assault
• Sexual harassment
• Robbery
• Murder
 Angry customers
• Since most retail employees deal with customers,
they will inevitably come across an unhappy
customer.

• Deal with all customers with respect and dignity… no

matter how they are treating you.

• If you are unable to assist them to their satisfaction,

have the customer speak with a store manager.
Retail is a wonderful industry to work in.

Just… Be Careful
and Be Safe.