6 Common Retail Injuries in the Central Valley

Encompassing many different needs and product types, retail is one of the most common occupations in any area and the Central Valley is no exception, being home to a huge number of retail workers. It is a business sector that provides thousands of jobs for the people of Fresno on a daily basis with some of the major retail companies in the area being Vallarta Supermarkets, CVS Pharmacy, Ariat and Winco Foods. 

Retail workers are often overlooked and underappreciated in society, but they are vital to the everyday experiences we often take for granted. As a result of the constant, repetitive movements and strains on their bodies over time, retail workers are prone to a variety of injuries while on the job, ranking among the top injured professions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Common types of injuries 

1. RSIs and musculoskeletal injuries: 

One of the main parts of the job for many retail workers is repeatedly scanning items that the customer wishes to buy. Retail workers scan hundreds of times per hour leading to carpal tunnel, sore necks and damaged shoulders. Although ergonomic design has improved over time, so has the need for more and more items to be scanned. This has led to a severe increase in RSIs for many retail workers. Likewise, standing for long periods of time can lead to a variety of injuries. 

2. Slips, trips and falls: 

A grocery store, clothing shop or any other major retail shop typically has a lot of moving parts, and it’s not uncommon for items to be left on the floor or in other unsafe places. Often, these various parts can overlap in catastrophic ways whether it be someone slipping on a recently washed floor, tripping over items that shouldn’t be in their path, or even falling off a piece of equipment. Each of these unsafe conditions can lead to significant injuries.

3. Violence from customers: 

One of the leading factors when it comes to workplace injuries for retail workers and the highest cause of fatalities comes from violence. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, violence from other humans or animals was the leading cause of retail worker fatalities in 2019. Of the reported deaths, over 50% were due to violence in some way. Sometimes customers take the common adage, “the customer is always right,” a little too far and end up seriously injuring a retail worker who is just trying to do their job. Due to their direct proximity with the customer, the employee is the first in line on a customer’s war path.    

4. Transportation incidents: 

Transportation was tied for the second most fatalities among retail workers according to the same California Department of Industrial Relations study. Anytime an automobile is involved on the job, there are a wide variety of injury risks that go along with it. Accidents are a thing that can happen, especially if the driver is trying to meet a deadline, is unfamiliar with an area they have to drive to or the conditions are dangerous for driving. 

5. Exposure to harmful substances/environments: 

This was also tied for second among retail fatalities. While it might not be something that comes to mind when thinking of retail workers, they can deal with harmful materials or environments. A major part of retail work is stocking and unloading items and these may include materials that could be harmful if it becomes open or exposed to the air. Likewise, many workers will use equipment such as a baler which compresses material. If any limb or other body part accidentally gets in the baler, it can lead to a major injury including death. Likewise, retail workers are in close proximity to hundreds or thousands of people daily. This can easily lead to them getting sick which can force them to be away from work for many days.

6. Mental Fatigue: 

Retail work can be an incredibly stressful job from dealing with frequently alternating shifts, unruly customers and notoriously low wages. This can easily lead to stress and other psychological issues. When you’re not in the right headspace, it can affect the work being done and lead to other issues, both physical and mental, down the road.   

Despite these injuries being possible every time a retail worker enters their store, there are steps workers and employers can take to keep everyone on the job safe and healthy.

How to prevent these injuries

1. Commit to proper safety training: 

Proper training done on a frequent schedule is a key way to prevent injuries from happening in the workplace. If everyone knows how to be safe when working with each piece of equipment they’ll be operating, they’ll be less likely to mishandle it and therefore less likely to cause an accident to occur. The same goes for anyone working in the proximity of said equipment because they need to be aware of how to act when that equipment is in use as well. One of the best and most effective safety precautions is simply washing your hands regularly and between each activity.

Likewise, undergoing frequent and proper training procedures for dealing with customers in any and all possible scenarios will lead to a higher safety standard for all parties involved.  

2. Safely stretch and stay limber so muscles don’t get too tense:

Stretching can be a great way to keep your body from becoming stiff and rigid. Because of the repetitive nature of a retail job, relieving some of the cumulative tension that might arise over the course of the day with stretching can prevent long term injuries to that part of the body. Always stretch or loosen up in a place that is safe and in a way that will not put you, any other worker or the customers in harm's way. 

3. Wear necessary protective equipment at all times: 

Wearing proper safety equipment is essential to limiting the possibility of a workplace injury. Some of the helpful ways you can stay safe are by wearing a mask when dealing with certain cleaning chemicals(especially when in enclosed spaces), putting on some type of brace or weight belt when lifting heavy material, wearing clothing that will not restrict your movement, and by getting a proper pair of comfortable, non-slip shoes. All of these will help keep you safe from the various hazards you may face on a daily basis as a retail worker.

4. Be aware of your surroundings at all times: 

One of the biggest aspects of workplace injuries is not being cognizant of the things happening around you. While it is important to focus on your job, it is also important to be aware of what others around you are doing in case something they do leads to an accident of some kind. It is very easy for a distraction to lead to a workplace accident, so keeping your eyes and ears peeled for any potential mishap is crucial to keeping all employees safe.   

5. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when necessary:

It is super important to stay hydrated because if you are not, it can lead to a variety of conditions that can exacerbate the chances of a workplace injury. These include dizziness, fatigue, irritability, confusion and many more. Retail work is also a very stressful job, so if you ever feel any of these conditions coming on, pause what you’re doing and take the necessary steps to feel well again. If you’re not healthy, it is much harder to deal with customers. 

6. Get a good night's sleep so you are alert at all times:

Proper sleep habits can really make the difference between performing at your best and executing your job in a way that may harm others or yourself while in the workplace. The CDC suggests getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep and creating a positive, consistent nightly routine that eliminates caffeine and electronic devices before bedtime. This may be difficult for retail workers who are forced to close and then open, but taking manageable steps towards improving your sleep habits can make a huge difference for both you and the customers.

7. Make sure all equipment is up to date and safe: 

If anything seems unsafe for whatever reason when it comes to the equipment that is being used, let your employer know so they can take the necessary steps to fix the issue. Constantly maintaining and updating the equipment used in the workplace is a vital way of making sure the equipment is not outdated and working in a way that will not add to workplace injuries.

Retail work is one one the most necessary and undervalued jobs and many workers do not get the credit they deserve. Their jobs come with a large amount of risk that is often not considered, but if you are injured in a store, you are afforded the same opportunity for workers’ comp. benefits as any other qualified worker in the state.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.