During the holiday rush, retail workers are often injured due to the increase in traffic and the amount of work they have to do. These injuries range from sprains and strains to serious issues like slips and falls.
Here are some of the most common injuries that retail workers suffer from during the holidays.
Common injuries in the retail work scene.
Retail work entails long hours and a lot of movement, often in crowded environments. As such, retail workers injuries are common due to the following:
- Overexertion and slips
- Trips
- Falls due to poor floor conditions.
Some common retail worker injuries in the retail scene include:
- Musculoskeletal injury: This type of injury is extremely common in retail, especially during the holiday season. It refers to sprains and strains caused by overexertion or injury and can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of movement in the joints.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition affects many retail workers and is caused by pressure on the nerves in the wrist. It can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and even make it difficult to grip or hold objects.
- Back pain: Many retail workers also experience back pain, especially in the lumbar region. This can occur due to improper lifting techniques or standing and moving for long periods.
- Cuts and scrapes: Retail workers are often exposed to sharp objects like knives and glass as they prepare or package items. As such, they are also at risk of cuts and scrapes that can lead to infection if not treated properly.
- Repetitive strain injury: This condition is often caused by performing the same tasks repeatedly and can lead to pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms or hands.
How to prevent retail worker injuries.
There are several steps that the management at retail stores can take to prevent injuries during the holiday season. These include the following:
- Properly train retail employees on safe lifting and moving techniques to reduce the risk of sprains and strains.
- Encourage retail workers to take breaks throughout the day to minimize the risk of overexertion and muscle fatigue.
- Provide retail workers with proper equipment, such as back supports or wrist guards, to help protect against common injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury.
- Conduct regular safety inspections of retail spaces to ensure that the floor is clear of spills or other hazards that could lead to slips, trips, and falls.
- Ensure retail workers are adequately hydrated and get enough rest to help reduce their risk of developing back pain or muscle fatigue.
- Utilize worker’s comp or other forms of insurance to provide retail workers with the financial support they need if they suffer a work-related injury.
By following these tips, retail storeowners can help reduce the risk of injury and maintain their workers’ health and well-being during the holiday season.
Prevent common retail worker injuries today!
You can help reduce or prevent retail worker injuries during the holiday season as a store owner or manager. You can prevent these injuries by following simple tips, such as properly training employees on safe lifting techniques, taking breaks throughout the day, and providing the proper equipment.