How to prevent occupational risks in non-food retail?

In the non-food retail sector, employee health and safety play an essential role in ensuring a favorable and productive working environment. With nearly one million working days lost per year in this sector according to Ameli, it is crucial to understand the potential risks and implement preventive measures.

In this article, we will provide an overview of common risks in non-food retail, before revealing practical tips for preventing them as effectively as possible and thereby ensuring the well-being and safety of your employees.

Occupational risks in non-food retail

In the non-food retail sector, employees are exposed to various health and safety risks. It is essential to identify and understand the key risks your employees face so they can work with peace of mind.

• Risks related to ergonomics : one of the major risks in non-food retail concerns workstation ergonomics. Employees are often required to remain standing for long periods, which can lead to muscular and bone problems. Repetitive movements, such as handling items, entering data and scanning, as well as wearing unsuitable shoes, can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (TMS) in the long term. In addition, manual handling of heavy loads, such as boxes or bulky products, is responsible for 54 % of workplace accidents.
• Risks related to the work environment : the environment of a non-food retail store can also present significant risks. Inadequate lighting can cause eye strain, reduce your employees' visibility and increase the risk of accidents. In addition, a slippery floor can lead to same-level falls, which account for 16 % of workplace accidents. Similarly, poorly regulated temperatures in the store can not only cause discomfort for employees, but also affect their overall health.
• Psychosocial risks : in addition to physical risks, non-food retail employees are exposed to psychosocial risks. Constant pressure to meet sales targets can lead to excessive stress, which in France represents an estimated social cost of between 1.9 and 3 billion euros, and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Interactions with difficult customers, frequent complaints and conflict situations can also contribute to a deterioration in employees' mental health. 

Awareness of these health and safety risks in non-food retail is a crucial first step before implementing preventive measures and effectively protecting your employees while ensuring a safe and supportive working environment.

Preventing risks in non-food retail

To ensure the health and safety of your employees working in non-food retail, it is imperative to implement targeted preventive measures. Here are some practical tips for preventing and mitigating the risks associated with this constantly evolving sector.

Organize the workspace

• Adapt workstations to individual ergonomic needs, providing comfortable seats and adjustable work surfaces, as well as comfortable, non-slip work shoes to help prevent the risk of objects located overhead falling.
• Make sure that the store lighting is adequate, using natural light sources whenever possible and supplementing them with well-distributed artificial lighting.

Apply psychosocial prevention measures

• Implement stress management programs to help your employees cope with sales pressure and work-related demands.
• Encourage open communication by creating a safe space where your teams can express their concerns and problems without fear.
• Provide training in conflict management and problem-solving to help your employees handle difficult situations.

Ensure monitoring and follow-up

• Carry out regular inspections to identify hazardous areas, such as slippery floors, and take immediate action to correct them.
• Establish an incident and accident reporting system, encouraging your employees to report any health and safety incident or issue.
• Closely monitor key health and safety indicators, such as accident and absenteeism rates, to assess the effectiveness of the preventive measures implemented.

Train and raise awareness

• Provide your teams with regular training on good ergonomic practices, particularly correct postures and the breaks needed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
• Raise your employees' awareness of the importance of properly wearing personal protective equipment (EPI) such as safety shoes and the gloves, particularly when handling heavy loads.

Thanks to these tips, it is therefore possible to ensure that your teams work in optimal conditions. And as discussed throughout this article, using suitable safety shoes is crucial for protecting health and safety in non-food retail, so do not hesitate to contact our team of experts Shoes For Crews, the leader in the non-slip footwear sector, who will help you equip your employees in the best possible way; or discover our selection of comfortable men's and women's shoes for yourself, and thus create an environment where health and safety are a priority.