A Guide to Store Safety in the Retail Industry

Store safety lapses in retail can have significant consequences – both for your employees and your bottom line. Consider this: a shopping center in NYC had to pay $2.75 million in a settlement to a customer who tripped and fell on an uneven sidewalk.

This comprehensive guide explores health and safety best practices, complying with regulations, and promoting a culture of safety in retail stores. Further, we discuss how digital retail audit software can help you achieve top-notch safety standards.

Store Safety: Why Health and Safety in the Retail Industry Matters?

Prioritizing health and safety in the retail industry goes beyond compliance. It safeguards your employees and customers. Examples of hazards range from overexertion injuries to exposed wires from lighting.

These incidents, unfortunately common, can lead to reputational damage, as well as costly lawsuits and worker’s compensation claims.

Effective health and safety programs foster a positive work environment, reduce accidents, improve employee morale, and reduce risks for your business.

Health and Safety Legislation in Retail: Legal Obligations for Employers

Retailers have a legal duty to provide a safe workplace for their employees. For instance, in the US, retailers have a legal duty to follow the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) guidelines to provide a safe workplace.

Although safety guidelines for retail stores vary based on location, common requirements include

• maintaining a safe work environment 
• providing retail workplace safety training
• recordkeeping of accidents, injuries, and training provided to employees.

The Financial Implications of Workplace Accidents and Injuries in Retail

Beyond the human cost of employee injuries, accidents in retail pose a significant financial burden on businesses.

Financial costs incurred due to accidents and injuries are of two types – direct and indirect. 

Direct costs include medical expenses, workers’ compensation claims, and lost productivity due to absences. Indirect costs encompass potential lawsuits, retraining replacement staff, and damaged morale impacting employee retention.

These costs can significantly erode profits and hinder a store’s long-term success. Thus, prioritizing staff and customer safety in retail stores becomes an ethical obligation and a sound financial investment.

Health and Safety in Retail Stores: Common Risks and Hazards

Retail stores present a unique environment with inherent store safety risks. Here are some of the most common hazards in retail:

Slips, Trips, and Falls

According to the 2023 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, slips, trips, and falls cost employers $16.99 billion in 2022. Some common causes of these hazards include

• uneven floors
• cluttered aisles with merchandise encroaching on walkways
• spills left unattended
• wet weather tracked in from entrances. 

Additionally, improper footwear for staff, such as shoes with worn treads or no slip resistance, can significantly increase the risk.

Electrical Hazards

Improper use of appliances, damaged cords, and overloaded circuits can all lead to electrical shock. These incidents not only cause injury and property damage but can also disrupt operations and damage your reputation.

You can significantly reduce these risks by implementing a proactive electrical safety program, which includes routine inspections for damaged equipment, proper use of extension cords, and staff training on hazard identification and safe work practices.

Manual Handling Injuries

Lifting heavy objects without proper training or equipment, stocking shelves that require constant bending and reaching, and using unstable ladders or stools to access high shelves contribute to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

Implementing safe lifting protocols, encouraging proper posture during stocking tasks, and providing sturdy, well-maintained ladders can significantly reduce the risk of these injuries.

Workplace Violence and Aggression

Retail staff can be vulnerable to verbal abuse, threats, and even physical assault from customers. Dealing with difficult customers, particularly those frustrated with long queues, product unavailability, or returns, requires de-escalation techniques and clear communication strategies. 

Security measures, such as visible security personnel and well-lit parking areas in supermarkets, can deter potential incidents and create a safer environment for employees.

Fire Hazards

The National Fire Incident Reporting System reported 16,500 office and store fires in the United States in 2020 that caused $932 million in direct property damage.

Thus, retailers should implement fire safety measures in their stores, which include:

• adequate storage of flammable materials
• routine electrical inspections
• staff training on fire extinguisher use and evacuation procedures
• maintaining a proper fire log book
• placing and maintaining fire safety alarms

By implementing these measures, retailers can significantly reduce the risk of fire and ensure the safety of employees and customers.

Retail Store Safety Tips: How to Ensure Health and Safety in Retail Stores?

Proactive safety measures in retail stores are essential for creating a positive work environment and protecting your employees and customers. Here’s a breakdown of key retail safety tips that should become part of your store SOPs:

Conduct Risk Assessments 

Regular risk assessments are the cornerstone of a strong safety program, as they identify potential hazards before they cause accidents.

Audit apps like GoAudits can streamline the assessment process through customizable pre-built retail checklists that address common hazards like spills, damaged flooring, and improper lifting techniques.

With the help of these retail safety checklists, you can conduct thorough and consistent inspections, ensuring all areas of your store are evaluated regularly.

Provide Retail Workplace Safety Training for Employees 

Training empowers employees to recognize hazards, follow safe work procedures, and report concerns. Retail checklists can be a valuable asset in this process.

By transforming safety guidelines for retail stores into a step-by-step process, checklists allow you to demonstrate proper techniques, highlight potential risks, and implement best practices.

Integrating these checklists into training sessions allows you to explain the reasoning behind each safety measure and ensure clear understanding.

Maintain a Safe Work Environment

Maintaining a clean, well-organized store is essential for preventing accidents and safety hazards.

• Create SOPs for housekeeping and cleanliness that outline proper retail cleaning protocols and waste disposal procedures. 
• Schedule regular store audits and ensure timely repairs of equipment, to avoid accidents caused due to faulty equipment.
• Create a culture of open communication where safety is a priority. Conduct regular safety inspections to identify potential hazards and ensure adherence to established protocols.

Apart from scheduling and completing inspections, you can take safety audits one step further with GoAudits. Your team can assign corrective actions as soon as a discrepancy is found, and you can monitor the resolution in real-time.

With GoAudits we save at least 20 hours a week across different users, especially writing action plans, as now everything is done in one place.

Kartella Fuller, Director of Operations & Guest Experience, Goodwill

Practice Cash Handling Safety 

Cash readily available in stores is a target for theft. To ensure safety:

• prioritize secure cash handling procedures
• limit the amount of cash in drawers
• establish frequent deposit schedules
• utilize a secure safe with restricted access for cash storage

Additionally, train your employees in retail theft prevention, which includes recognizing suspicious behavior, de-escalation tactics to manage agitated customers, and emergency response procedures.

Building a Culture of Safety with a Retail Inspection App 

Digital inspection apps like GoAudits can protect your employees, customers, and retail businesses against safety hazards.

With GoAudits, you can:

• Schedule regular retail health and safety inspections
• Build custom a store safety checklist for various types of hazards
• Monitor trends and identify safety issues
• Assign, implement, and take follow-ups on corrective measures
• Hold your team accountable in case of negligence
• Meet uniform safety standards consistently across all your stores
• Promote a culture of safety for your employees and customers

Implementing health and safety best practices with GoAudits is simple. Pre-built health and safety audit templates and easy customization offered by customer support ensure a seamless fit with your current retail practices.

Working with GoAudits has been very easy. The Support Team has been helpful during the onboarding and overall responsive to any needs or inquiries. A pleasure to deal with!

Myles Blue, Area Manager, Body Energy Club

With a rating of 4.7 stars on Capterra, GoAudits is trusted by some of the biggest names in the retail industry.

» Customer Success Stories: How businesses leverage GoAudits to save time and improve operations.

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