Retail Safety: Prevent Falling Merchandise

Prevent Falling Merchandise

Objects falling from above can pose a serious danger, and you are at increased risk when merchandise is stored above you. Don’t think you are at risk? Consider the following incidents:

• A warehouseman was paralyzed after 400 pounds of cardboard slid off a rack that was bumped by a lift truck.
• A store patron fractured her pelvis in two places when she was struck by an unsecured countertop.

The lives of these individuals were permanently changed by falling objects. Keep reading to learn how you can play your part in preventing falling merchandise and subsequent injuries.

In the Retail Store

• Use caution when dealing with towering displays. At times customers may attempt to reach for items above their heads, and merchandise could fall and injure them.
• Customers may also attempt to move ladders to climb and reach for products on high-rack shelving. Make sure ladders are labeled and that only qualified employees use them.
• Regularly scour the store for unsafe or precarious situations in which merchandise could fall, much like you do for spills on the floor. If you discover a potential falling merchandise hazard, fix or restack it immediately.
• Children are especially at high risk. Get involved as courteously as possible if you see a child that is unsupervised or misbehaving in a way that could be harmful, such as climbing on merchandise.

In the Warehouse

• When working at a height, use signs and barricades to alert those on the ground level.
• When on the ground, pay attention to warning signs and do not stand under people or materials.
• Do not stand or walk under a, forklift or any kind of moving load.
• When working above, never set tools and materials on the edge of a fork lift, ladder or shelving. Unsecured items can easily fall.
• When working at a height, do not keep any objects in your pocket. They could slip out when you bend over and injure someone below.
• Use caution and follow all safety precautions when operating powered industrial trucks. Never exceed the lifting capacity.

Our Commitment to You

Falling objects do not just hurt people; they hurt the company, too. How? Defending a lawsuit costs money and the potential for slow sales from any negative publicity both decrease our profit. And less money for the company can lead to salary and hiring freezes, or even layoffs.

Your safety is our first priority and it should be yours, too. If you have any doubt about safety in the workplace – regarding falling objects or any other issue – talk to your supervisor. Keeping you, your co-workers and our patrons safe requires everyone’s cooperation.

Share this post?