People who have not worked in retail or haven’t had retail experience in recent years can be dismissive about how demanding and dangerous this work really is. Retail workers often receive low wages and have variable schedules instead of a reliable and guaranteed 40 hours every week.
As if that weren’t bad enough, many times they do not receive many employment benefits, and they may also be at risk because of the jobs they perform. Retail workers get exposed to a variety of serious safety issues when they show up to work.
In some cases, retail employees can end up injured on the job. Their injuries may them to take a leave of absence and might generate major medical expenses. Workers’ compensation benefits may be available in such cases, but most retail employees probably prefer to avoid injury if they can. The following are some of the most significant safety issues for workers in the retail sector.
Violent workplace incidents
The potential for criminal activity has always been a concern in the retail sector. The number of injuries reported by retail workers related to violent incidents has increased noticeably in recent years. Retail workers never know when someone might become angry about a prestige item being out of stock or aggressive when caught in the act of shoplifting. Violent incidents can cause physical injuries and psychological trauma that may affect someone’s earning potential for the foreseeable future.
Falling objects
Retail workers have exposure to falling objects when assisting customers, stocking shelves or looking for merchandise in warehouse spaces. Falling objects can break bones and cause trauma to an individual’s brain.
Slip and falls
Retail workers often need to move quickly to keep customers and managers happy with their job performance. They could easily encounter spilled items or rainwater tracked inside by business patrons. They might slip and fall. Although people are often dismissive about the risks involved in a same-level fall, serious injuries can result. People can develop brain injuries. They can break bones or cause soft tissue injuries in their frantic attempts to avoid hitting the ground.
Retail workers with broken bones or other significant injuries may need to take time away from their jobs, as their employers may not be able to accommodate their injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits can be a crucial form of support for those hurt at work and in need of medical care. Obtaining workers’ compensation can help retail employees get the care and leave they need to recover after an injury at work.