Are Your Stores Safe?

Shrink is a significant bottom line threat.?As costly, as it pertains to the potential injury of employees and customers are costs associated with accidents.?When combined shrink losses and workers comp/general liability costs are higher than ever in the history of retail.??Preventing accidents in retail stores is of the utmost importance for both the safety of employees and customers, as well as the financial well-being of the business. Accidents can result in costly worker compensation claims and lost time due to employees being unable to work, which can significantly impact a retailer's bottom line. In addition, maintaining a safe environment is not only the responsibility of the retailer, but also required by federal law.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), retailers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This includes taking steps to prevent accidents and injuries on the job. OSHA has established a set of regulations that retailers must follow to ensure the safety of their employees. These regulations cover a wide range of topics, including hazard communication, fire safety, and electrical safety, among others.

One way that retailers can prevent employee accidents is by conducting regular safety training and drills. This can help employees to better understand the potential hazards they may encounter on the job, as well as how to properly handle them. Retailers should also make sure that their employees have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent accidents. For example, employees who work with hazardous chemicals or machinery should be provided with protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and respirators.

In addition to protecting their employees, retailers also have a responsibility to protect their customers. This includes maintaining a safe shopping environment, which can be achieved by regularly inspecting the store for potential hazards and taking steps to correct any issues that are found. Retailers should also consider installing security cameras and hiring security personnel to help prevent accidents and respond quickly to any precursor to an accident.

One common type of customer accident that retailers may encounter is slip and fall accidents. These can occur when customers trip over clutter or wet floors, or when they slip on a slick surface. Retailers can help to prevent these types of accidents by keeping their store free of clutter and promptly cleaning up any spills. They should also ensure that floor surfaces are in good repair and consider using non-slip flooring materials in areas where spills are more likely to occur.? Spill stations and wet floor/hazard signs need to be placed strategically throughout a retail store to ensure they are available and handy in the event of a slip and fall threat is detected.?? Training of associates is key here as well.? Making sure that they do not overlook risks, instill among the employees that it is critical that they react and respond to any accident waiting to happen.?Take control and be the fix, versus waiting for someone else to discover and correcting it.?

Another issue that retailers may face is fraudulent customer accident claims. While most customers are honest, there are some who may try to take advantage of the situation by making false claims to receive compensation. Retailers can protect themselves against fraudulent claims by implementing a process for documenting and investigating all customer accidents, and by gathering evidence such as witness statements and security camera footage.

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of employee and customer accidents in retail stores, leading to an increase in the cost of worker compensation claims and lost time due to employees being unable to work. According to a study by the National Retail Federation, the cost of worker compensation claims for retailers rose by 4.5% in 2020, with the average claim costing around $40,000. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, making it even more important for retailers to take steps to prevent accidents and keep their employees and customers safe.

So, what can retailers do to keep their stores safe and prevent accidents? Here are a few tips:

1.????Conduct regular safety training and drills to help employees understand the potential hazards they may encounter on the job and how to properly handle them.

2.????Make sure employees have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent accidents.

3.????Regularly inspect the store for potential hazards and take steps to correct any issues that are found.

4.????Install security cameras and consider hiring security personnel to help prevent accidents and deter crime.

5.????Keep the store free of clutter and promptly clean up any spills to prevent slip and fall accidents.

6.????Teach and train employees on safety risks.

7.????Consider establishing an internal safety team of select employees

8.????Execute frequent safety audits

9.????Have safety competitions throughout the district or market, awarding store employees who keep the safest store and have the lowest accident costs.

10. Work closely with safety leaders within the organization to ensure the latest and best practices are being deployed and followed.

When proper focus and execution is placed on safety in a retail environment, results will be favorable.?It is a topic that must be discussed frequently, and best practices shared with all front-line employees.?Remember, high accident costs mean that someone was hurt or seriously injured in your retail operation, and no one wants that happening on their watch.?Make safety a serious initiative in your company, it’s the right thing to do.