SAFETY GUIDE

SAFETY TIPS for prevention of injuries while lifting

 While working for avoidable situations, the lifting heavy objects can be avoided or
carrying them can be stalled. Instead of this, mechanical help from hoists, forklifts,
dollies and carts can be used.
 Getting help from other workers
 Holding lifted objects as near to body as possible
 Planning and distributing weight before lifting heavy items
 Avoiding reaching, bending and twisting postures
 Pivoting feet without twisting body, and keeping weight on shoulder and knees, to
avoid strain
 Instead of bending on waist, knees is better as this helps in getting balance and letting
leg muscles do the work
 Testing weight on shoulders slowly, instead of lifting fast
 Griping the load with whole hands instead of fingers, keeping vertebra straight and
keeping a watch out for hurting fingers while putting down weight
 Instead of lifting for a long period of time, using different muscles and spacing tasks
with time to reduce stress on muscles.

SAFETY TIPS while working in storage areas

 While storing different items, boxes; lifting effort can be minimized if the items are at
chest to knee level
 Storage should be such that stacks donot tip over
 High items can be reached via ladder or tools
 In cold storage areas, the temperature should be strictly monitored
 Taking small breaks reduces stress along with alternatively varying the loads

SAFETY TIPS when using knives

 Utilizing the proper knives for the different occasions and sharpening them before use
 Storing knives safely and keeping them as far away as possible
 Using cutting board to cut
  Knives should not be used for other activities except cutting
 Knives should be held with dominant hand
 Cloth should be used on dull edge for cleaning knives, and using mesh or leather
gloves while cleaning when needed.

SLIPS AT WORKPLACE: SAFETY TIPS

Within retail sectors, tripping over or slipping over floor is quite common. Safety must
always be a priority even though customer service is important as well. While working time
should be taken for each step, instead of rushing over things. Slips can be prevented by:

 Non-slip footwear which are well fit should be worn

 Boxes and clutter along walkways should be removed giving ample space for
movement
 Carrying weight should be dependent on ability
 While carrying large items, vision must not be compromised
 Spills should be reported and colleagues should be warned so that they also donot
slip. Supervisor should be notified.

USING POWER TOOLS: while working in retail sector, most important appliances for
common cuts are power tools or knives.

SAFETY TIPS while using various power tools: mobile machines can cut people, while
getting caught on clothes or jewelry. While working with machines, chances of cutting toes,
fingers or worse can occur. Permanent disability, injury or even death might result if safety is
not maintained around machinery.

 Use tools for what it is intended for doing

 Reading operational manual is important before using power tools
 In order to maintain safety proper guards should be kept beside machines to prevent
any accidents.

SAFETY TIPS while using forklifts: to prevent injury while using fork lifts controlled
actions to prevent collision must be done.

 Maintaining distance from forklift while being operated

 While forklift is in motion back or front movement should be restricted
  Using forklift only by authorized person.

SAFETY TIPS while working in dangerous situations: if a person is working alone

potentially dangerous situations can be handled deftly by:

 Close person contacting regularly

 Having a handy emergency phone number
 Back doors not to be left open or unattended
 Not to empty garbage at night when bins are kept in back alleys
 Giving friendly gestures to customers who walk in during the night in the retail store,
as it is possible for customers to come even at night
 If emotions are focused, keeping calm, and keeping other calm becomes easy
 Helping customers and preventing situations to escalate during issues by smooth
communication
 Using empathy to understand customer’s point and understanding means of solving
issues
 If grievances cannot be answered, customer name and contact should be taken and
given to manager for them to solve the situation.
 Asking help from colleagues when alone situation cannot be handled.

CLEANING: SAFETY TIPS FOR MOPING

 Moping should eb done after wet floor signs have been put up
 Being extra careful of children around wet floor
 Moping floor using warm water and floor disinfectant
 Storing the bucket, and mop in right place after moping is done
1. While cleaning washrooms body wastes or blood spills might be encountered like feces or
vomit.
 For this, using disposable gloves is a must instead of having contact with skin
 Visible materials can be cleaned using disposable rugs
 Bleach solution to be used for disinfection
 Waterproof garbage bags to be used for disposing all wastes, along with gloves and
towels.
2. Prevention of infections. Contact with infected blood might occur if gloves are not worn and
skin is pricked using sharp tools like needles. To decrease such exposure:
 Before picking up contaminated objects, proper training must be done in order to be
safe
 While cleaning disposable gloves must be worn
 Sharp objects or needles can be picked using pliers
 Such needles or sharp objects must be stored in dedicated boxes
 Garbage bags cannot be lifted from below, as it might contain sharp objects or
contaminated things.
3. If people might get exposed to infection:
 First aids should be applied firstly
 The supervisor must be reported directly of the activities
 Medical attention must be given within first 2 hours’ time.

CHEMICAL: chemical substances might irritate skin, nose, eyes, lugs or thorat, causing
infection. Certain symptoms of wheezing, couching, burning eyes, breathing problems or
soreness in throat might occur. Moreover asthma attacks might occur, if chemicals trigger or
some hazardous items might come in contact which can lead to breathing problems. For such
cases personal protective equipment, like gloves, goggles, respirators must be used for
avoiding such situations.

SAFETY TIPS while using chemicals:

 Dangerous gases might be created if different chemicals are mixed and should be
avoided.
 Before lunch breaks or drinking hands should be washed using soap and water and
sanitizers used frequently.
 After using chemicals, disposable gloves must be dumped.
 After using products they must be kept away is their proper locations.
 Cleaning chemicals should not be used near food items and should be used at back of
sink.

Risks from dust, fumes and smoke: smoking is not permitted within stores.

 Truck drivers must turn off truck engines at back door entrance.
SAFETY TIPS Fire safety risks: all the equipment for firefighting must be kept clean and
in proper order and functional and proper approval checks must be done by the fire
extinguisher authorities. The fire exits must be clear at all times.

ROBBERY SAFETY TIPS:

Main aim is to make store attractive to customers, not for robbers.

 The store must be well lit, clean and tidy

 When no customers are present, store must be dusted and cleaned regularly
 When there are no customers, store assistant should move away from counter and be
alert
 Be more aware of parked cars near stores
 Always be aware of people looking at store or watching it for some time
 Supervisor must be contact if something suspicious catches eyes
 Get knowledge about how to seek help or call police when some situations occur
 Giving everyone friendly greeting
 Acting friendly with shoppers and briefly looking at their eyes
 Keeping fund balance at cash register at minimum
 Asking for change or smaller notes

Some helpful tips after robbery:

 Keeping conversation shorter, as more time makes robber nervous for attacks
 Handling situation calmly while making sales and keeping activities short crisp, to not
make robber nervous
 When you are having doubts ask clear questions to robber
 To stop robber from being startled let them know about customers, or what to expect
from the situation
 Fighting a robber is foolish and not heroic, and keeping calm is most intelligent thing
to do. Assuming robber has no weapons just because he is not showing is foolhardy
 Violence is induced when robber is chased
 Writing down about robber’s appearance immediately after he leaves gives details to
police. Details like looks, height, clothes, which direction they escaped and calling
emergency when safe are necessary.
Pest control chemicals uses and risks

Pests damage properties and increase bacteria and cause various property issues which needs
to be countered. Weekly checks on dead insects, eggs, droppings, or damaged stocks can give
visual parameter of their activities. Moreover as pests are more active in dark, rodents or
insects might not be seen during daytime.

Food should not be kept open and should be stored away from walls, so that pest damage
donot occur.

Pest control instructions:

Before spraying

 All food preparation must be stopped

 All prepared food must be covered or sealed up with paper or lids.

Before starting food preparation and after spraying dead bodies of insects, pests must be
vacuumed and after spraying evidence of deaths of the insects and pests must be closely
monitored for checking progress.

Birds

There are many vector borne diseases carried by birds, and within their droppings

 Nesting areas must be cleaned and roosting areas

 Waste materials must be removed
 Entry must be prevented

Report: accidents must be reported to managers

Completing

 All incidents, accidents, near hit register maintenance

 Recording toolbox
 Incident reporting