| A basic requirement as a merchandiser, accident | | | | lifting at the same time, reaching for objects |
| prevention is the responsibility of a store owner | | | | instead of using a ladder, bending and |
| who is expected to assist management in any | | | | overextending, and lifting cartons that are too |
| unsafe behavior as outlined by the company's | | | | heavy. |
| established safety regulations and procedures. | | | | Consider the following techniques for proper lifting: |
| Employees should never be expected to work in | | | | 1. Stand close to the object that you are lifting |
| an unsafe environment. | | | | and plant both feet firmly on the floor. Point your |
| And while most people blame accidents on unsafe | | | | toes out. |
| conditions, most accidents are caused by unsafe | | | | 2. Squat down close to the object with your back |
| behaviors and the best way to eliminate accidents | | | | straight, knees bent and stomach muscles tight. |
| is to avoid unsafe practices. | | | | 3. Grip the object firmly with both hands, not just |
| To begin, housekeeping is a continuous process | | | | your fingers. |
| needed to keep the workplace free of debris and | | | | 4. Stand up slowly, keeping your back straight and |
| other hazards. Periodic inspections should be | | | | letting your legs do the lifting. |
| performed to review housekeeping practices and | | | | 5. Avoid bending from the waist. Keep your knees |
| identify workplace hazards. Some housekeeping | | | | bent and back straight when lifting from the |
| tips are: | | | | ground. |
| 1. Keep work areas clean and orderly. While | | | | 6. Reverse the above procedures to put the load |
| working, employees should keep aisles open to | | | | down. |
| customers. | | | | 7. Never jump. A jump from a short height, such |
| 2. Store tools, equipment and supplies in their | | | | as the back of a trailer or loading dock, can cause |
| proper place. When box cutters or safety knives | | | | serious injury. |
| are not in use, the blade must be kept in the | | | | Protecting yourself from the potential hazards of |
| closed position, locked with the guard in place. | | | | your work environment can be achieved by using |
| 3. Wipe spills up from the floor immediately. Notify | | | | personal protective equipment (PPE) while working |
| a supervisor if additional help is needed. | | | | in your merchandising position. For instance, while |
| 4. Do not stack totes more than four high. Use | | | | working with chemicals, always read the container |
| dollies or flat-tops to transport heavier totes of | | | | label. Even small spills in the retail environment can |
| more than one at a time. | | | | lead to harmful human exposure. For those who |
| In the retail business, some of the more common | | | | are unloading, handling or assembling any |
| accidents include falling on a slippery surface or | | | | heavy-duty fixtures, gloves should always be |
| stairs, lifting injuries, sprains and strains, and | | | | worn, as well as when working with refrigerated |
| cutting injuries as a result of the incorrect use of | | | | frozen food products. |
| box cutters. | | | | The incorrect use of box cutters not only |
| Slips, trips and falls are among the most serious | | | | accounts for personal safety, but also damaged |
| accidents that occur in a retail environment. It's | | | | or unsaleable goods. Employees might consider |
| important, therefore, to wear proper shoes that | | | | wearing gloves when using box cutters. Use |
| enable you to move comfortably and maintain | | | | one-sided blades with safety handles. Sharp blades |
| firm footing. Make sure the soles of your shoes | | | | should be stored in a safe manner when not in |
| are designed for the surface you are working on. | | | | use and employees should never leave a sharp |
| The wrong type of sole can actually add to the | | | | blade unattended on the sales floor. |
| hazards you face on the job. If you see a spill, | | | | Unsafe behavior in the retail workplace depends |
| make sure it is cleaned up immediately. If you fail | | | | on correct training and diligence. To avoid injury to |
| to clean the spill up or notify someone that the | | | | yourself or damage to merchandise, follow these |
| spill exists, someone else may slip and fall. Always | | | | simple instructions: |
| keep aisles and doorways clear of boxes, product, | | | | 1. Place the box on the floor, setting it at such an |
| fixtures, and tools. | | | | angle that you will not be pulling the box cutter |
| Improper lifting is the greatest single cause of | | | | toward you. Make sure that the line of tape is |
| back pain and injury. It's very important that | | | | horizontal, not vertical, in relation to you. |
| merchandisers learn and practice good lifting | | | | 2. Place your hand on the opposite side of the |
| techniques. If you think you need help lifting, don't | | | | box. |
| hesitate to ask. Some common mistakes | | | | 3. Make a series of small, smooth cuts rather than |
| employees make when lifting include twisting and | | | | cutting straight across all at once. |