Safety Technical Bulletin

Wholesale Store (Distributor)

Workplace Safety Tips

Wholesale Stores provide several potential workplace hazards which can cause serious injury to stock personnel, clerical personnel, and drivers in clothing store, auto parts operations, furniture stores and other wholesale operations.

FFVA-MIC Loss Control Consultants can assist you in evaluating your workplace exposures and provide you with sound loss control recommendations.

WHOLESALE STORE – WORKPLACE EXPOSURES

The following exposures are:

• Heavy Lifting
• Forklifts
• Trip and falls
• Ladders
• Falling Merchandise
• Fleet Exposures

DEVELOPING A LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM

To successfully implement a workplace safety program, management must be willing to reduce and eliminate workplace injuries. There has to be a 100% commitment to establish an injury free environment.

STOCK PERSON – WORKPLACE SAFETY TIPS

• A safety-training program should be in place for all new hires to identify the hazards of the job.

• Manual lifting should never be performed if the object being lifted can be done mechanically with hoists or forklifts.
• Manual lifting suggestions should include:
• Check the weight first and determine if help is needed.
• Place feet close to object, bend knees and keep back straight.
• Keep the load close to your body without twisting or turning.
• Set the load down slowly, bending your knees.

• All forklift operators should be certified.
• Load limit should be clearly marked on forklifts.
• Forklift backup warning devices and overhead protection should be in place.
• Traffic patterns should be clearly marked for forklifts and pedestrians.
• Regular maintenance should be done on forklifts by a qualified technician.
• Non-skid footwear should be required.
• Passageways should be kept clear.
• Spills should be promptly cleaned up.
• Proper ladders should be provided.
• All ladders should be inspected daily for fractures.
• Ensure that all ladders meet OSHA safety requirements (refer to OSHA 1926.25 sub part L).
• All employees should be trained in the proper placement and positioning of ladders.
• Stock should be properly stacked on sturdy shelving to prevent merchandise from falling.

CLERICAL PERSONNEL – WORKPLACE SAFETY TIPS

• Office workers should be encouraged to look away from their computer monitors and focus on distant objects from time to time.
• Floor mats should not be curled or frayed at corners. Trip and fall hazards are a common occurrence.
• All file drawers should be kept closed when not in use. Open file drawers can cause severe head lacerations as well as trips and falls.
• Computer workstations should be inspected to ensure that monitors, keyboards and chair adjustments match the physical characteristics of the employee.

FLEET SAFETY – WORKPLACE SAFETY TIPS

• Only authorized drivers should be permitted to drive company vehicles.
• Motor vehicle reports should be obtained from the fleet insurance carrier every six months.
• Authorized drivers should take an annual defensive driving course.
• Criteria for determining an adverse driving record should be developed such as number of points per year, DUI, and chargeable accidents.
• Daily vehicle inspections should be required of every authorized driver. An inspection form should be used.
• The maintenance department should have authority to remove a vehicle from service until recommended repairs are made.
• Drivers should not carry money.

Related Links

• www.NSC.org
• www.OSHA.gov