Store Safety



Store Safety

• Safety in your store must be high on the priority list because a commitment to safety can pay off in dozens of ways. First and foremost is its impact on your customers and employees. A safe environment not only motivates employees to work and act safely, and it's also conducive to an environment where customers love to shop. A serious injury strains your store’s bottom line as well. Accidents mean higher insurance premiums and ultimately, higher costs for you and your customers. They can damage your store's reputation with your customers and the community. Because of increased operating costs, your store's competitiveness will also be affected.

• Creating and maintaining a safe workplace makes good sense and means good business, strong morale and a healthy bottom line. It is not difficult to develop and maintain a program that promotes a safe and healthy shopping and work environment. However, you will need to monitor and address those safety and health hazards, which could happen in your store. It is management’s responsibility to know what hazards exist in the workplace that could hurt employees and customers.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• All associates should have access to back support belts and safety goggles/glasses for work done in the store.

• Associates who move heavy merchandise should be urged to wear steel-toed shoes and prohibited from wearing open toed shoes, flip flops, etc.

PPE Safety Recommendations

1. Work area is to be kept clean and free from debris.

2. Tools and equipment are to be kept clean and in good repair and placed in proper locations when not being used.

3. Manufacturer’s instructions for operating and maintain store equipment must be followed at all times.

4. Employees must be 18 years of age or older to operate the forklifts, company vehicles or power equipment.

5. Employees are cautioned to follow safety guidelines in lifting/carrying heavy items. Back belts should be made available for use (with proper training) and proper lifting techniques should be practiced at all times Do not lift or carry more weight than can be easily handled (generally this means no more than (50-80 lbs). Make use of hand trucks, heavy carts and forklifts.

6. Employees must wear safety goggles while cutting keys, glass, lumber, pipe, sharpening blades, etc.

7. Employees must wear cut-resistant gloves and use only self-retracting knives/blades when opening boxes or cutting open product packaging/shipments.

8. Employees are cautioned to always follow proper safety procedures when performing work-related duties (opening boxes, restocking shelves/merchandise, reorganizing work/shopping areas, etc.).

Injury/Accident Investigation Procedures

Customer Accident

• Assess the severity of accident

o What is the injury?

o Does it require medical attention? Is an ambulance needed?

• Secure the accident scene

o Use caution signs or yellow tape

• Provide First Aid as needed (if needed)

• Direct a specific person to call 911 (if needed)

• Follow 911 operator’s direction

• Stay with victim until ambulance arrives

• Obtain victim’s personal information (if possible)

o Ask victim if able to speak

o Ask companion/family member for victim’s information

o Notify family/emergency contact of accident and where they victim will be taken too by EMS

Documentation

• Six key questions should be answered: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Facts should be distinguished from opinion, and both should be presented carefully and clearly. The report should include thorough interviews with everyone who witnessed or has any knowledge of the incident. A good investigation is likely to reveal several contributing factors, and it probably will recommend several future preventive actions. Any employee who witnessed the accident, provided first aid, and/or called for emergency response is required to provide a witness statement.

• Photographs should be taken of all relevant aspects of the accident (e.g., floor, fixture, forklift, etc.), in sufficient detail and clarity to accurately depict details of the accident and support written testimony. If in doubt as to whether it is appropriate or necessary to take a certain picture, take the picture. It is important that all photographs be taken as soon as possible.

• Any customer who witnessed the accident, provided first aid, or called for emergency response should be asked to provide their information for documentation purposes. The following is a guide for what information to obtain from witnesses, employees and customers:

• Who

o Victim

▪ Name

▪ Address

▪ Contact Information

▪ Date of Birth

▪ Statement (if they feel comfortable doing so)

o Witnesses

▪ Statements

o Responders

▪ Name

▪ Address

▪ Contact Information

▪ Statement

• Where

o Store Name

o Store Address

o Location Within Store Where Accident Occurred

• When

o Date

o Time

• How

o Questions to ask to determine how the injury/accident occurred

▪ Is there water on the floor? Other substances?

▪ Merchandise involved: on the floor (nuts/bolts), stacked too high, shelving collapse?

▪ Sharp tools not secured properly?

▪ Etc., etc., etc. Anything that might seem relevant to the inquire

• What

o What was the injury?

▪ Cut finger

▪ Slip and Fall with injuries

▪ Concussion

▪ Open Wound

▪ Broken Bones

▪ Heart Attack/Stroke

Investigation Summary

• When the six elements of the injury/accident have been established, an investigation summary should be written detailing the incident in a clear and concise manner. All supervisors and others who investigate incidents should be held accountable for describing causes carefully and clearly. When reviewing accident investigation reports, the management team should be on the lookout for catch-phrases, for example, "Employee did not plan job properly" or “Customer did not lift properly.” While such a statement may suggest an underlying problem with the worker or customer, it is not conducive to identifying all possible causes, preventions, and controls.

• Additionally, each employee witness is required to write a witness statement answering the six elements: who, what, where, when, why and how. Also, information from customer witnesses should be obtained, such as name, address, and contact information. The investigation report, customer statements, and employee witness statements may be used in any legal litigation filed by the injured. As such, the reports need to be retained at the store on in a location where they will not be destroyed. Clearly mark such files with the designation: DO NOT DESTROY.

Injury/Accident Review

• After an injury/accident, the management team needs to evaluate the incident and identify all six elements to determine if changes are necessary to prevent future incidents. Preventive actions should make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the incident to recur. Considerations of cost or engineering should not enter at this stage. The primary purpose of accident investigations is to prevent future occurrences. Implications from the root causes of the accident need to be analyzed for their impact on all other operations and procedures.

Employee Injuries/Accidents

• Employee injuries/accidents should be handled in the same manner as customer injuries/accident, as described above. The investigation of employee injuries/accidents must be conducted in the same manner as a customer accident. The difference between customer injury/accident incidents and employee injury/accident incidents is the requirement to follow Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OHSA) guidelines when the accident involves an employee. Employers are required to maintain an OSHA 300 log, which documents all occupational injuries and illnesses and must be maintained and is open for inspection by OHSA. Additionally, an OSHA 300 summary form from the previous year must be posted from February 1 to April 30. Individual states may also have their own requirements or OSHA departments. The key to an associate accident case is to have ALL accidents/injuries documented, regardless of whether or not the associate needs medical attention. Documentation is the key. All associate accidents/injuries should be referred to a pre-designated hospital or care facility with the owner/manager accompanying the associate wherever possible.

Reporting A Claim (Insurance)

• Contact insurance carrier when reporting a claim. All claims should be reported within 24 hours of notice to the storeowner and/or store manager to ensure proper investigation and insurance coverage, if applicable. The storeowner and/or store manager should report all claims.

Before Reporting a Workers’ Compensation Claim (injuries to employees):

• Have injured worker’s name, social security number, address, phone number.

• Inform customer service if employee is losing time from work.

• Be able to describe the accident and what the injury is.

Before Reporting a General Liability Claim (Customer slip & fall, property damage to customer’s property while on retailer property, etc.):

• Have injured party’s name and phone number.

• Be able to describe the accident and what the injury/damage is.

Be able to provide any additional information necessary to mitigate the loss.

Robbery & Burglary Procedures

Robbery

• How to avoid becoming a victim of a robbery.

o Reduce the amount of cash that is available in the store.

o Keep the store, storefront and parking lot well lit.

o Limit the number of posters in the windows.

o Do not keep large bills in the open or in the register.

o Keep your register drawers closed when not waiting on customers.

o Look for and report suspicious persons/vehicles before opening and at closing.

o Never open the doors for strangers before or after regular business hours.

o If transporting money, cash drawers or change to registers from office, or vice versa, take an escort.

o Never make bank deposits alone.

• What to do during a robbery:

o Your primary objective during a robbery is to remove the threat of violence and to prevent injuries to yourself or others. Therefore, cooperate with all demands the robber makes quickly and without resistance.

o Stay as still as possible.

o Show your hands at all times.

o Obey all commands without resistance, panic, or argument.

o Warn the robbers of any surprises such as if another employee is expected to be coming up or if customers may be entering the store.

o Make the transaction as short as possible… give them what they want and let them leave.

• Do not be a hero.

o Don’t resist.

o Don’t reach for their weapon.

o Don’t stare.

o Don’t argue.

o Don’t try to apprehend or follow.

• After the robbery:

o Call the police.

o Call the manager.

o Attempt to identify robber’s vehicle, license number and direction of travel (do not put yourself in jeopardy).

o Lock the store and do not let anyone in except for the police or management.

o Keep the crime scene intact to aid the police in their investigation.

o Do not touch any surfaces touched by the robber.

o Attempt to gather witness statements from customers.

o Write down everything you remember and saw right away. The longer you wait… the more you’ll forget.

Burglary

• Monthly, ensure that all motion detectors and contact points (on all doors) are active and working properly.

• Respond to all alarm calls.

• Never enter the store alone. If the police are not present, do not go in the store.

• Once the police have arrived and cleared the scene, take an inventory of anything that is determined to be missing.

• Secure the store. Note: if glass was broken or an entrance/exit compromised, you may need to call a locksmith/glass company to come out in the middle of the night.

• Review video surveillance to see if the burglary was captured by your video system.

Emergency Action Plan (E.A.P.)

• An Emergency Action Plan establishes procedures to follow in the event of but not limited to any of the following: fire, tornado, earthquake, flood or hazardous waste/material spill. This plan will instruct employees on what actions to take should an emergency condition arise that affects the store. The EAP shall designate a person responsible for formulating, implementing, testing and maintaining the emergency plan. Copies of the completed EAP must be maintained in readily accessible locations in the store. Additional copies must be mailed to the homes of key store managers for access in the event of an emergency.

Fire

• Fire is the most common type of disaster or emergency. Each year an average of two million fires, which result in over $8 billion in property damage, are reported to U.S. fire departments. These fires result in over 4,000 deaths and 25,000 injuries per year.

Fire Procedures

• A designated meeting place outside the store should be established for all associates/managers/owners to meet in the event of a fire. This can be the front parking lot or another business on the property.

• In the event that a fire is discovered in the store or on the store’s premises, immediately page the owner/manager.

• Call the fire department or 911.

• Make a public address announcement that reports the situation and asks all customers to evacuate the store in an orderly manner.

• If applicable, use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Do not put yourself in danger. The fire department is en route – there is no need to be a hero.

• Two associates (fire marshals) should be designated to search the store for any remaining customers/associates and escort them out of the building. This should only be done when there is relatively no danger/risk posed to the marshals themselves.

• Once the fire department has cleared the scene, document the incident, identify any losses and begin the clean-up process. Resume business when appropriate.

Flood

• Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters. Most communities in the United States can experience some degree of flooding after spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. Most floods develop slowly over a period of days. Flash floods, however, are like walls of water that develop in a matter of minutes. Flash floods can be caused by intense storms or dam failure.

Hurricane

• Hurricanes are sever tropical storms with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater. Hurricane winds can reach 160 miles per hour and extend inland for hundreds of miles. Hurricanes bring torrential rains and a storm surge of ocean water that crashes into land as the storm approaches. Hurricanes also spawn tornadoes. The National Weather Service issues hurricane advisories as soon as a hurricane appears to be a threat. The hurricane season lasts from June through November.

Flood & Hurricane Procedures

• Make a general public address announcement alerting customers and employees of the situation.

• While customers cannot be held in the store against their will, appropriate measures should be taken to get remaining associates and customers to a safe location (away from windows) and to secure the store until the weather system has passed. Signage should be readily available to place on all exit/entrances quickly and efficiently.

• Emergency kits should be maintained at the store that include flashlights, batteries, a weather-radio, water, blankets and a first aid kit.

• Designated emergency response associates should spread out through the store with flashlights to ensure that all associates and customers have been accounted for, and help direct associates/customers to a designated meeting location.

• A member of management should be positioned at the main entrance/exit to assist with any evacuation that may be necessary, to help secure the store and to let anyone out who chooses to leave of their own accord.

• All cash registers should be secured and all offices/safes should be secured.

• During a tornado or severe thunderstorm, the meeting place should be a center-lower level of the store.

• During a snowstorm, flood, or hurricane, management/owners should be prepared to decide if and when to close the store and for how long.

Earthquake

• Earthquakes occur most frequently west of the Rocky Mountains, although historically the most violent earthquakes have occurred in the central United States. Earthquakes occur suddenly and without warning. Earthquakes can seriously damage buildings and their contents, disrupt gas, electric and telephone services and trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires and huge ocean waves called tsunamis. Aftershocks can occur for weeks following an earthquake.

Earthquake Procedures (During)

• If inside, do not run out of the store. Advise all associates and customers to take cover. Go to a sale place within the store. Get under a desk or solid table, or stand next to an inside wall near the center of the building. Keep your head covered. While under a desk or table, hold onto it to prevent it from moving away from you.

• Do not remain near or facing glass or mirrors. Serious injury can results from falling objects or glass. Be aware of heavy objects that could tip over and displays that could fall.

Earthquake Procedures (After)

• Instruct everyone to remain where they are until the area is inspected. Use flashlights if the power goes out. Do not use matches, lighters etc.

• Quickly assess injuries to associates or customers and damage to the store building. Be prepared for aftershocks that can follow an earthquake. They can cause additional damage to a weakened structure.

• Contact your district manager or locate a battery-operated radio and listen for an update on damage sustained in the area. Travel may be difficult due to roads, bridges and overpasses being damaged by the quake. Do not use your phones except for emergency calls. If during an actual emergency the phones in your store do not work, use the downtime phone lines or try to locate a nearby pay phone or a cellular phone.

Power Outage

• Power outages can occur during any time of the year and could be related to severe storms, heavy snow, strong winds, freezing rain and community energy conservation measures.

Power Outage Procedures

• During a situation in which there is a loss of power and visibility is limited, all associates should have access to flashlights in and around their areas.

• A designated manager should be situated at the front of the store to let out customers and to prevent entry to anyone.

• Associates should search respective departments and escort customers out of the building.

• Once all areas have been searched, associates should exit the store via the main entrance. Once all associates have been accounted for, secure the store and contact the appropriate utility company, management and owners to advise them of the situation.

• Cash registers and safes should be properly secured before exiting the store.

Emergency Supplies & Equipment

• Drinking water

• Duct tape

• First aid supplies

• Blankets

• Flashlights

• Hand tools

• Plywood

• Generators

• Tarpaulins

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download