Safety in Retail

Mrs. Randi O’MooreJoseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center

Westbury, Long Island, New York

Training Areas

Customer Service Cash Register Use Scanning Purchases Grocery Bagger Inventory Counting Tagging/Pricing Security/Theft Collecting Shopping Carts

Pre-Test

1. _____ It’s uncomfortable standing at the register for several hours at a time.

2. _____ It doesn’t matter how you lift heavy items, as long as you do your job.

3. _____ Using a cash register can’t hurt me. 4. _____ Anyone of any age can work at a

deli and use a slicing machine.5. _____ Anyone of any age can use the box

crusher (compactor).

Pre-Test Answer Key

1- True 2- False 3- False 4- False5- False

Retail Dress Code

Ask your manager or supervisor when you are hired what the dress code is in that store. Once hired, keep an eye on the dress of your co-workers and use it as a guide. There is often a rule of no jeans or sneakers in retail stores. There is often a smock, vest, or shirt issued with

the store name on it. It also may have your name on it as well. Wear it each day you work.

Retail Equipment

Cash Registers & Scanners Box Compactors Trash Compactors Meat Slicers Constant Lifting & Twisting Shopping Carts

Electrical

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.”

“Fires wreak havoc among workers and their families and destroy thousands of businesses each year, putting people out of work and severely impacting their livelihoods.”

“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.”

Evacuation Safety Points

If you are escaping from a building:

o Know your escape routeo Don’t use elevators or escape to the roofo Close all doors behind you to slow the

spread of a fireo The smoke is often the most hazardous

part of a fire. If it is smoky, stay close to the floor; crawl if necessary.

o Don’t open a door if it feels hot

Floors, Doors, Exits

Know where all of the fire exits are in case of a fire or other emergency.

Stear clear of slippery floors; you don’t want to fall and get hurt.

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 Always bend at the knees when lifting heavy

items from the floor. You can hurt your back.

Checkstands that require the checker to unload groceries are strenuous to the shoulders and back. A workstation that allows for alternating between sitting and standing is important, as is room to move about without awkward motions.

Lifting groceries into a bag positioned on top of the checkstand is very stressful to the shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

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.

Your Safety at Work

According to the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:

o Annually, almost 1 million people are victims of violent crime at work.

o The retail industry has an above-average risk for violence in the workplace, due in part to the possibility of robbery at retail stores. Stock handlers, baggers, sales supervisors and sales clerks are among the top five occupations at risk of violence in the workplace.

Workplace Violence

Verbal threats Abusive behavior Physical violence or assault Sexual harassment Rape Robbery Murder

Repetitive Motion IIlnesses

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.

Tendinitis DeQuervain’s Disease

Tensoynovitis Thoractic Outlet Syndrome

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Trigger Finger Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

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.

Always Report an Injury

All injuries that occur at work should be reported to your supervisor as soon after they occur as possible.

An incident report should be completed on each incident, no matter how minimal it may seem.

Post-Test Questions

1. _____ Know where all emergency exits are.2. _____ Working in retail is sometimes dangerous.3. _____ Placing groceries into bags for customers can be

strenuous on your body.4. _____ Using a cash register is in no way dangerous to your

health.5. _____ Do not use elevators during a fire evacuation.6. _____ Report all accidents to a supervisor immediately.7. _____ Slippery floors can be dangerous.8. _____ Checkout stands can be strenuous on your

shoulders and back.9. _____ A trash compactor is only dangerous if you aren’t

careful.10. _____ It’s important to know what to do in an emergency.

Post-Test Answers1- True2- True3- True4- False5- True6- True7- True8- True9- False10- True

Safety Web Resourceswww.ufcw.org/workplace_connections/

www.rwdsu.org/health_safety.html

Retail is a wonderful industry to work in.

Just… Be Careful and Be Safe.