by Melanie McIntosh

Do you have written safety guidelines for your retail business? It is a good idea to review safety procedures even if you are the owner & only staff of your business, but it is imperative that you have proper safety guidelines if you have one or more employees.

According to a Worker's Compensation Board (British Columbia) release in 1998, "Some of the more common accidents in small retail business include lifting injuries, getting hit by a falling object such as knives, hammers and boxes, falling from a ladder or chair, falling on a slippery surface or stairs, tripping on a rough surface, injuries from repeated movements, and assaults."

You need to ensure that your business meets state or provincial safety standards, but here are a few tips on safety in your retail workplace.

1. Have a written emergency plan for earthquake, fire, etc. Keep it in a location that is accessible to all employees, and require that everyone is familiar with it.

2. Ensure that all work in performed in a safe manner

• proper lifting procedures

• proper workstation

• proper storage for heavy objects, hazardous materials

• proper footwear and clothing

3. Have safety meetings and inspect the workplace on a regular basis.

Ensure that aisles and exits are kept free of boxes and merchandise. Review standards for fire codes in your area.

4. Have a written guideline for prevention of violence in the workplace.

Include loss prevention guidelines that emphasize the safety of employees at all times.

5. Have a first aid kit in an accessible location.

Make sure that all employees know where it is located. Keep it clean and dry. Check that your first aid kit includes all the materials necessary for the number of employees in your business.

6. Document and report all accidents, even small ones.

Even a small cut can lead to serious infection down the road.

7. Ensure that all employees are trained in safety procedures as part of their orientation.

Use a checklist to ensure that all employees are given the necessary information.

Prevention of accidents is always your best bet. Even small accidents can lead to time off work for you or your employees which is an expense for your business. Don't wait to review your safety policies and procedures.

To get more articles like this one subscribe here.

P.S. If you like this article, feel free to share it with your own list, post it on your site, post it on your blog, add it to your autoresponder or include it in your print publication. As long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. All links must remain in the article.

And include this at the end of the article:



©2001-2008 Inspire Retail Solutions. All Rights Reserved.

Melanie McIntosh is a retail consultant and owner of Inspire Retail Solutions. She helps independent retailers who are struggling to get more customers in the door.
Is your store appearance actually turning customers away?
Find out more here: http://www.inspire.bc.ca

 

Melanie's articles and interviews have appeared in Retail BC's Retail Connections magazine, Western Home Furnishing Association's Western Retailer, Intimate Apparel Business, Arabian Retailer, Teeze magazine, edplay magazine, and LA Apartment, among others.