Health and safety in retail industry: A complete guide

Health and safety are important in every industry and retail is no exception. From preventing slip-and-fall accidents to managing fatigue and stress, retail teams face unique challenges in their day-to-day roles. Prioritizing store safety not only protects your employees but also guarantees a safe and welcoming environment for customers.

This complete guide explores health and safety in the retail industry, along with common risks and hazards. Plus, it also tackles some important tips to keep your teams and your business safe and thriving.

What is health and safety in the retail industry?

Retail health and safety encompasses all practices and policies in place to keep customers, employees, and assets in stores and businesses safe. It’s a key part of smooth and successful retail operations and is all about creating a space that keeps accidents, injuries, theft, and other safety issues at bay. 

Workplace safety statistics show that 8 in every 10 retail workers in the US feel unsafe while on the job. As the majority of teams clock in with concerns about their safety, it becomes more and more important to foster environments where they feel secure and supported.

What are the common risks and hazards in retail stores?

In a dynamic environment with customers coming in and out, here are some of the most common risks and hazards found in retail settings:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy items
• Workplace violence including conflicts with customers and other staff and theft attempts
• Falling objects from poorly secured products in high storage areas
• Poor working conditions such as in temperatures that are too cold or too hot
• Ergonomic hazards from standing too long or from repetitive tasks
• Psychosocial hazards from high customer demands, long working hours, and understaffing

Why health and safety matters in retail

In all workplaces, putting health and safety at the forefront helps create a safer, more productive environment for all involved. In retail, this means that everyone, from staff to shoppers to the business itself, benefits. Here are key reasons why businesses should prioritize health and safety in the retail industry:

• It prevents accidents and injuries. With the right practices including retail safety training and proper policy implementation, teams can work confidently without the risk of harm.
• It improves morale and prevents burnout. When workers feel supported and secure, they’re more engaged at work and are less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere.
• It increases productivity. With better morale and minimal downtime from employees having to take time off due to workplace-related incidents, they can contribute consistently to the success of the business and maintain a steady workflow.
• It keeps you compliant with regulations. Retailers are legally mandated to give their teams and customers a safe working environment. 
• It reduces liability and costs. By minimizing risks and hazards, you’re also avoiding potential financial losses from compensation, liability insurance, and legal fees.
• It enhances your reputation. When you put safety first, you gain customer trust and loyalty.
• It translates to better customer experiences. With teams that feel more secure and motivated, they’re more likely to be attentive to customer needs. 

How to keep retail stores safe and healthy

Discover how to create a proactive culture of safety for your customers and employees with this list of tips and best practices for maintaining health and safety in the retail industry:

1. Train your teams regularly

Train new and seasoned employees on loss prevention, manual handling, ergonomics, and more. It’s also crucial to conduct regular safety drills—whether it's practicing fire evacuations or preparing for potentially violent situations—so everyone knows exactly what to do in times of crisis.

Well-trained teams are confident, quick to respond, and equipped to handle emergencies. This lessens the likelihood of accidents occurring and guarantees a safer, smoother operation overall. 

With most retail workers being deskless, mobile learning is a game-changer. Mobile-first platforms like SC Training let your teams access health and safety training courses anytime, anywhere. This eliminates the need for complex scheduling, making it easy for employees to learn at their own pace, whether they’re on the shop floor or during a break. 

2. Create a comprehensive health and safety policy

Set the tone for safety in your stores with a clear health and safety policy. This written policy outlines all the emergency procedures, risk assessments, accident reporting processes, and preventive measures that your teams can look back on in case something goes wrong.

An easy-to-understand policy will help you and your employees create a safe and healthy environment for everyone. It’ll also guarantee that your teams understand the role they play in such situations.

3. Conduct risk assessments

To maintain health and safety in retail stores, you should regularly assess potential risks and hazards present. This includes identifying high-risk areas, regularly inspecting fire extinguishers and alarm systems, and maintaining equipment like forklifts and cleaning tools.

A simple, yet effective way to keep things on track is by using a safety checklist. This can help your teams proactively address issues while staying organized to make sure that no safety measure is overlooked.

4. Keep the store tidy and organized

Maintaining a clean and organized store is the bare minimum for retail businesses. There’s more to it than what meets the eye. A tidy store isn’t just about aesthetics or enticing shoppers, it’s a key factor in preventing accidents and in securing employees and customers.

Keeping the store organized means regularly cleaning floors, promptly cleaning spills, removing obstacles from aisles, and using clear signage and warning labels. It also means that shelves are well-stocked, and workstations are ergonomically designed for employee health and comfort.

5. Implement security measures

Security cameras and alarm systems are worthy investments in retail. It helps recognize suspicious behavior while reducing risks of theft and other forms of workplace violence. Clear protocols for handling theft and shoplifting incidents should also be in place and awareness should be raised among employees regarding these measures.

6. Offer mental health support

Effective retail health and safety practices require holistic support. Show your teams that you care for their well-being by giving them access to counseling services and resources for managing stress and burnout. 

There’s also no replacement for promoting work-life balance by encouraging flexible scheduling, giving adequate time off, and fostering a culture where employees maintain a healthy separation between work and personal life.

Build safer retail spaces with SC Training

Take the first step toward stronger retail safety practices with SC Training. Protect your team, your customers, and your bottom line with its powerful features.

With SC Training, you can:

• Verify digital safety training in person with Practical Assessments
• Translate health and safety courses into 100+ languages
• Keep teams compliant by default with Reporting and Analytics
• Instantly quiz your team’s knowledge after safety meetings with Rapid Refresh
• Make information about retail health and safety digestible with microlearning

 A safer store starts with you. Sign up with SC Training today!