| The retail environment may appear to be a | | | | you start walking, rather than twisting. |
| relatively safe workplace (save the disgruntled | | | | 6. Set the load down slowly, bending at the knees. |
| shopper or two), and unlike a construction site or | | | | Do not let go of the load until you've lowered it |
| workplace that develops chemicals, a retail store | | | | securely to the floor. |
| doesn't seem to pose any obvious threats. | | | | 7. Transport carts and wheel racks by pushing - |
| However, retail workers face everyday hazards, | | | | not pulling. |
| from trip-and-fall risks to back injuries resulting | | | | Receiving Dock Safety |
| from lifting heavy boxes. | | | | 1. Keep the dock area clear of displays or other |
| With retailers typically setting aside $10-30,000 for | | | | debris. |
| each lost time injury, the unforeseen retail injuries | | | | 2. Clean any spills or wet areas immediately. |
| can quickly add up. Employees who don't follow | | | | 3. Check all pallet jacks before use. |
| safety guidelines can wield a huge impact on a | | | | 4. Don't hoist yourself up or jump from the dock |
| company's bottom line. Following are general | | | | to ground level. Use the stairs to fo from ground |
| guidelines that every retail owner and employee | | | | level to the dock, or vice versa. |
| needs to protect themselves from the potential | | | | 5. Never ride a pallet jack or forklift. |
| injury pitfalls of retail: | | | | To avoid injury or damage to inventory, retailers |
| Safety in a Retail Store | | | | should also use caution when opening shipping and |
| 1. Stack cartons so that they're not piled at the | | | | receiving freight. Perhaps one of the most often |
| end of aisles where people could trip over them. | | | | overlooked precautions is in the use of a utility |
| 2. Clean all floors, aisles and stairs and keep them | | | | knife. Retailers are constantly receiving shipments |
| free of debris, trash, spills or fallen merchandise. | | | | and orders that require careful opening to prevent |
| 3. Make sure that all floor mats and carpets lie | | | | injury as well as damage to the product. Use the |
| flat, free from ripples or curled edges, and are | | | | following guidelines to safely open a carton with a |
| slide resistant. | | | | box cutter: |
| 4. All exit paths should be free of obstruction. | | | | 1. Always keep a box cutter with a sharp blade |
| 5. Stack merchandise in a stable manner and | | | | handy when working with freight and opening |
| that's easy to reach. | | | | boxes. |
| 6. Remove protruding objects from displays, | | | | 2. Set the carton on a flat, steady surface. |
| counters, tables and floor stacks. | | | | 3. Position the carton at an angle to your body so |
| 7. Maintain at least 30 inches of clearance around | | | | that the cutter will not be moving directly |
| sources of ignition such as heaters, boilers, and | | | | towards you. |
| electrical panels. | | | | 4. Place one hand on the box and use the other |
| Tips for Proper Lifting | | | | hand to firmly hold the box cutter. |
| 1. Size up the load. If it looks too heavy, use lifting | | | | 5. Make a smooth cut, and then turn the carton a |
| equipment or ask for help. | | | | quarter revolution. Make another smooth cut, and |
| 2. Before lifting and carrying an object, check to | | | | turn the carton again. |
| make sure your route is free of obstruction, | | | | 6. Cut as close to the top of the box as possible. |
| water, and other trip-and-fall hazards. | | | | 7. Check the condition of the box cutter's blade. |
| 3. As you lift, place your feet close to the object, | | | | Dull blades require more pressure and increase the |
| bend your knees and get a firm hold on the box. | | | | risk of injuries. |
| Lift primarily using your leg muscles. | | | | To work well, a safety knife needs to be |
| 4. Keeping the load close to your body without | | | | mistake-proof. In other words, its safety features |
| twisting or turning, lift straight up. | | | | must be so deeply built-in that a new, untrained |
| 5. Turn your body by changing foot position as | | | | employee can't accidentally override them. |