When you think of hazardous jobs resulting in workers’ compensation claims, you probably think about construction workers and law enforcement personnel. You probably do not consider retail industry workers. A new study indicates that maybe you should.
The dangers of retail
When a retail worker is injured on the job, they miss an average of 24 workdays, according to an insurance provider study. AmTrust Financial Services reviewed 20,000 workers’ compensation claims from 2016-2018. The three injuries with the highest average payouts were:- Falls or slips from ladders or scaffolding
- Strain or repetitive motion
- Car accidents
- Meat, fish and poultry markets. Common injuries involve facial bones, elbows, ankles, and knees.
- Hardware stores. Common injuries involve upper backs, shoulders, upper arms, and ankles.
- Car parts and accessories stores (including drivers). Common injuries involve soft tissue, multiple upper extremities, elbows, shoulders and knees.
- Barbershop, beauty parlor and hairstyling salons. Common injuries involve shoulders, thumbs and upper extremities.
Does your employer care about safety?
The study found safety training is key to preventing injuries. The question for retail workers is whether their employers believe in a proactive safety strategy or whether they accept injuries as “part of doing business.” Workers should ask themselves if their employers:- Have proper footwear policies.
- Keep floors and other surfaces clear of hazards.
- Store stock safely on shelves.
- Keep stepladders in good condition.
- Enforce safe lifting guidelines.
- Provide support for moving stock, such as hand carts.
- Offer training on security, robbery, and shoplifting.
- Maintain clear emergency exit walkways.
- Assure facilities are properly illuminated.