Are retailers doing enough to protect their staff and shoppers during the January Sales?

January 1^st often involves eager shoppers who are keen to get their hands on a good bargain in the sales. This means that shops are likely to be more crowded than usual during this time which is when accidents can sometimes occur. 

Of course, accidents and emergencies can occur at any time and in any place and it is always important to ensure that shopping centres and other busy locations have designated staff that are equipped to deal with such incidents.

First Aid Frenzy

There are a number of first aid emergencies that could occur when you are out shopping. You may be standing in a queue and all of a sudden begin to experience a nosebleed for example or maybe you start to feel faint from the heat.

Escalators can act as a risk especially when young children are using them. Retailers should ensure their staff are equipped with some basic first aid knowledge or at least have a first aider on hand that can attend to the scene in the event of an emergency.  

The law states that under the Health and Safety First Aid Regulations (1981) employers are required to provide equipment and enough trained first aiders to help sick or injured employees. This also includes and applies to businesses that have their doors open to the general public.

In a critical emergency, time is precious and you should act fast. The emergency services may be unable to reach the scene in time so having members of staff who know how what actions to take is essential to ensure the incident is responded to promptly and effectively.

It is also important to minimise risks by ensuring there are no obstacles on the shop floor that customers could trip over on, potentially causing them to injure themselves.

Shopping Trolley Hazard

Shopping centres often have trolleys for children and small infants. This is to ensure the safety of the child, giving the parents peace of mind knowing that they are safe and secure while they are out shopping. However, shopping trolleys can also act as a risk and with a number of reported injuries and concussions associated with shopping trolleys, incidents include:

• Falls from a shopping trolley
• Running into or falling over the trolley
• Cart tip-overs
• Entrapments
• Head injuries

It is important for parents to be vigilant and careful when out with their child. If a child is placed in a trolley, they must remain seated and not left unattended.

Shop Safe

Are you yet to brave the January sales or were you an eagle-eyed bargain hunter from Boxing Day onwards? Remember shopping can be tiring so it is important to stay hydrated and sit down for a break when you deem it to be necessary. Let us know about your experiences by tweeting us @imptraining.