Not all retail jobs are created equal. Some workers find themselves working at a clothing store, others at a hardware store, and still others at a sporting goods store, and so on. None of the workers at these different types of stores perform all of the same duties, but there are many overlapping possibilities of injuries in each environment.
When we think of workplace injuries we often think of warehouse workers or manufacturing jobs, but injuries can happen at any workplace for a myriad of reasons. Retail workers can be susceptible to injury easily, but if they follow some of these easy steps they can stay safe and injury free.
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Refrain from lifting heavy objects. One of the easiest ways someone can injure themselves is by lifting a box or object that is too heavy for them and hurting his/her back.
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Stay away from climbing ladders. Proper training is needed for the use of ladders in a retail setting. If proper training is not provided by your store it may lead to a workplace injury.
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Avoid wet floors. You may be responsible for cleaning up wet floors, but if you are not the one that cleans up the spill you will want to avoid the area and prevent yourself from slipping and falling.
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Report failing equipment. Depending on what type of retail job you have you may be required to use equipment. If that equipment is faulty or not inspected regularly it could cause an injury. If that is the case, you will want to report it immediately.
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Watch for floor damage. Retail locations see a lot of heavy foot traffic which can lead to damage to the floor. If you trip and fall due to a carpet pulling up a floor tile not being properly secured it could lead to an injury.
Workplace injuries in a retail setting can be as serious as in other settings. You may want to seek the review of a board certified workers’ compensation attorney if you’ve been injured on the job. Our attorneys can review your case for you.
