Top Workplace Hazards Faced by Grocery Store Employees

Though it does not have the reputation of being a dangerous place to work, a grocery store comes with its fair share of hazards.

If you are a grocery store employee, you should be prepared to avoid these risks as best you can. As long as you act responsibly, you will increase your chances of avoiding an injury entirely.

Slips and Falls

The most common hazard faced by grocery store employees is slips and falls. The reason for this is that there is often fluid on the floor, which makes it slick and likely to cause accidents. If you see a puddle anywhere in the store, you should clean it up or alert somebody else right away.

Lifting

Depending on your position at your store, you may do a lot of heavy lifting. This can lead to strains and sprains if you do not use proper technique. To avoid these injuries, make sure you lift with your legs instead of your back, lift in teams as much as possible, and take advantage of assistance equipment.

Food Preparation

This is not much of an issue for most store employees, but it does affect a small portion of them. For those of you that work in sections that prepare food, there is a risk of cutting yourself or getting caught in machinery. The primary people this affects are in the meat department, but there are some hazards in deli and bakery too.

Falling Objects

Whether you’re in the back of the store or walking the aisles, many items are stored above eye level. Sometimes, these items fall. Though the drop is quite short, they can still pick up a significant amount of momentum in that time. A heavy object can lead to a head injury or worse, so it is crucial that you keep an eye out for them.

Parking Lot Vehicles

Certain team members are required to collect carts in the parking lot. If you are one of them, you are at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Though the speeds are usually low, these accidents can still lead to severe injury. You can protect yourself by paying close attention to your environment.

Heavy Machinery

Some portion of the grocery store staff works in the back of the store, rather than the front. What they do is accept shipments, move pallets around, and complete other warehousing tasks. Given the heavy cargo they are transporting and the machines used to do so, this area can be a source of injury for both those employees and others that walk through the back of the store.

You probably don’t think of your grocery store job as a hazard to your health, but there are many ways that you could get injured at work. You should do everything in your power to avoid those damages. If something does happen, speak with an experienced Missouri workers comp attorney learn more about the benefits you are entitled to as an injured worker. Call (816) 399-3706 for a FREE Consultation.