Health and Safety in Retail
Although Health and Safety within the retail sector would generally be perceived to be low risk compared to
other industries such as health and safety matters in construction and engineering trades, In 2005/06 the retail
industry reported 13,000 work related accidents. Over 2000 of these accidents were classified as being major
injuries such as fractures.
The most common areas where these accidents are happening, and where our health and safety in retail consultants regularly
advise clients, relate to:
Slips and Trips
Slips and trips are the highest cause of injury in retail, with over a 1000 major injuries reported to
the Health and Safety Executive on an annual basis. Half of these accidents are happening in
supermarkets and food stores, with sales assistants being most at risk. In retail, more slips happen
than trips and they are mainly due to:
- Smooth recently cleaned floors being left wet
- Spills not being cleaned up quickly and properly
- Failing to keep the floor free from contamination.
Manual Handling
Our health and safety consultants regularly advise clients to:
- Use lifts and trolleys where appropriate.
- Break packages down into smaller more manageable sizes.
- Only carry what you can reasonably manage.
-
Store heavy stock and large boxes in areas where they can be suitably accessed without the need
for overreaching or having to bend.
Other items to consider with regards to health and safey in Retail include;
-
If you employ more that 5 persons do you have a documented fire risk assessment and fire
emergency plan for the premises?
- Are your electrical appliances and installation maintained periodically?
-
Have all staff been suitably trained in their individual responsibilities and duties.
To discuss your requirments and find out more about health and safety in Retail; please contact us on
08444 933 062 and ask to speak to one of our health and safety consultants.