Work in the retail sector can be very demanding. Especially in the months leading up to the holiday season, you may need to work long shifts or put in a lot of work reshelving and merchandising around the store.
Although retail work may not seem very risky, it is one of many private industries that has reported an uptick in the number of workers injured on the job in recent years. According to data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, what are the three biggest risks for retail workers?
Overexertion and bodily reaction
Maybe you have been using a sticker gun for so long that you developed carpal tunnel after years of stocking shelves. Perhaps you need to lift heavy items at work and throw out your back. Workers reported 42,790 injuries resulting from overexertion and bodily reaction in 2018.
Contact with objects
Sometimes, a worker could get hurt if a customer comes around the corner and knocks them over with a cart. Other times, it might be a piece of heavy machinery that strikes someone or possibly a box falling off of a tall shelf. Workers struck by objects on the job account for another 38,940 reported workplace injuries annually.
Slips, trips and falls
Rushing around to take care of a customer comes with its own unique set of risks. Workers could potentially slip and fall, especially if there are issues with the flooring or not enough other staff members on hand to address spills and similar issues as they arise. Slips, trips and falls are the third leading cause of injury, with 34,190 such scenarios reported in 2018.
Identifying and watching out for the most common sources of injuries can help workers stay safe on the job and know when they need to file for workers’ compensation benefits.