Men More Likely to Be Injured in Retail

Retail shopping is typically a safe and mundane task completed weekly. However, there are times when retail stores can present dangers for both shoppers and employees. Employees face a variety of different risks while working in retail. If you or someone you know was injured in a retail store, you may be eligible for compensation. According to a risk report by AmTrust Financial, men are more likely to be injured on the job. An estimated 13,645 men reported injuries, while women reported 8,375 injuries.

Retail Store Hazards Faced by Employees

Hazards faced by retail employees include:

  • Wet or slippery floors
  • Sharp tools
  • Merchandise falling off shelves
  • Cluttered aisles or pathways
  • Improperly handling materials
  • Repetitive movements

Common Retail-Related Injuries Faced by Employees

  • Slip and falls usually occur due to wet or slippery floors, uneven walkways, and falls from ladders or scaffolding.
  • Muscle strains usually occur as a result of improperly lifting and handling objects.
  • Cuts, punctures, and scrapes often result from using box cutters or knives to open packages and boxes.
  • Retail employees are at risk of being struck by objects or bumping into objects.

Hand and finger injuries were the most common injuries in retail, according to the risk report. They also reported that sprain injuries had the highest individual payout, while hand and finger injuries had no payout at all; falls had the highest overall average payout. Strains averaged 33 lost workdays, while falls resulted in 30 days of missed work.

Meat Departments

Meat departments had the highest number claims in the retail industry. Injuries in meat departments included injuries to facial bones, elbows, and knees. After meat departments, the second highest reporting industry was hardware stores. Injuries in hardware stores included injuries to the trunk, and the upper and lower extremities.

Preventing Retail Worker Injuries

In order to prevent retail worker injuries, there are a few things you can do:

  • Immediately clean up any spills
  • Keep walkways and aisles free of clutter
  • Make sure that merchandise is safely stocked on shelves and store heavier merchandise at waist level
  • Make sure employees are educated about safe lifting techniques and hold regular training sessions
  • Keep emergency exits and paths clear, and be sure to have proper lighting in walkways, exits, and parking lots

Bucks County Work Injury Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Represent Clients Injured on the Job

Workplace accidents are common and occur every day. If you or someone you know was injured as a result of a workplace accident, contact a Bucks County work injury lawyer at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Our experienced lawyers will fight tirelessly for your rights. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 888-999-1962. Located in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Pinehurst, North Carolina, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania.