Types of Workplace Accidents in Stores and Supermarkets and Their Direct and Indirect Costs

The work carried out by professionals in stores and supermarkets involves standing and moving around for much of their shift, carrying heavy loads, or handling sharp tools and machinery. The characteristics of the job entail risks of suffering different types of workplace accidents that can be minimised by adopting appropriate preventive measures. 

Spanish law includes a series of regulations that establish the minimum provisions to protect workers' health. Compliance with them, carrying out a risk assessment, and adopting additional measures, such as providing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), reduce the likelihood of accidents and increase worker satisfaction and productivity:

• Law 31/1995 on Occupational Risk Prevention, which brings together occupational health and safety legislation. 
• Royal Decree 39/1997, which contains the Regulation on Prevention Services. 
• Royal Decree 486/1997, which sets out the minimum health and safety obligations in workplaces.

These regulations establish the basic requirements that must be met to reduce accident risks in all sectors. However, the type of work determines which workplace accidents are most common. We focus on those that occur in supermarkets and stores. 

What are the most common types of workplace accidents in stores and supermarkets?

According to statistics compiled by Statista, supermarkets account for approximately 50% of food product purchases in Spain, making them by far the main distribution channel for these items. Despite the strength of online shopping, Spaniards prefer to fill their shopping baskets in physical stores. 

The safety and satisfaction of their workers are key to ensuring they provide the best service to customers and that customers retain their trust. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the main occupational risks in supermarkets and stores, as well as the associated most common accidents. This is the starting point for establishing appropriate measures that help reduce their incidence. 

1. Slips and trips 

Store and supermarket workers are usually constantly on the move. Incidents while transporting or handling products are common, sometimes causing liquids to spill onto the floor. Falls caused by wet or slippery floors are among the most common types of workplace accidents. Another frequent cause of falls is colliding with obstacles in the way.

Keeping floors clean and dry is essential to prevent these undesirable situations. In addition, wearing shoes with cushioned insoles for standing for many hours, with slip-resistant soles and impact-resistant toe caps, helps prevent falls or impacts that can cause injuries. 

2. Cuts

Handling sharp tools such as knives or scissors, as well as cutting or mincing machines, requires special attention from professionals to prevent cuts that may require medical attention and lead to time off work.

It is essential to keep all equipment in good condition, carry out periodic machinery inspections, ensure that professionals have the required training, and provide PPE, such as professional gloves, during use. 

 3. Muscle injuries

Handling and transporting heavy loads or repeating inappropriate postures for long periods can cause injuries that prevent normal performance of the activity. 

Lower back pain, herniated discs and tendinitis are some of the muscle disorders most frequently suffered by these professionals. To prevent them, it is advisable to follow tips for improving ergonomics in supermarkets and stores, have machinery that makes it easier to move products and materials, and provide professionals with shoes for standing for prolonged periods.

4. Falling objects stored at height

Handling products located at height also leads to accidents caused by objects falling onto workers. Effective organisation of warehouses and shelving is key to preventing this type of workplace accident. 

This requires maintaining strict order for all products, periodically checking that all furniture is stable and securely fastened, and ensuring that workers pay careful attention when picking up or placing any item in these areas. 

5. Accidents caused by working in environments with extreme temperatures

Excessive heat loss or build-up in workplaces can cause occupational heat stress.  In supermarkets and stores, this mainly occurs among professionals who spend part of their shift in cold storage rooms and face the risks of prolonged exposure to cold. 

This causes a weakening of the worker's physical capabilities, increasing the risk of suffering a workplace accident. Negative musculoskeletal, respiratory and cardiovascular effects have also been demonstrated. To reduce these risks, workers must have all the protective measures needed to prevent them from experiencing thermal discomfort. 

Direct and indirect costs generated by the different types of workplace accidents in stores and supermarkets

In 2022, according to figures from the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, there were 653,510 workplace accidents resulting in time off work in Spain. All of them involve costs that can be direct or indirect.  Let us look at the main ones in stores and supermarkets. 

Main direct costs 

Direct costs are those that can be quantified and have an objective reflection in the company's accounts. In the case of supermarkets and stores, these are the most notable:

• Costs of working hours lost by affected workers. 
• Care expenses that the company must cover. 
• Penalties imposed by the relevant authorities and compensation received by the worker. 
• Legal expenses if judicial proceedings are initiated to determine responsibility for the accident. 
• Cost of repairing or replacing machinery if the accident was caused by it malfunctioning. 
• Value of products damaged in the accident. 
• Replacement of the worker. Recruiting, hiring and training the employee who replaces the professional on leave following the accident also entails a cost for the company. 

Main indirect costs

Indirect costs are those that are not easily quantifiable but are linked to the accident, damage the company's image, and affect the confidence and satisfaction of customers and workers at the establishment. These are the most common:

• Reduced overall productivity. A workplace accident has an emotional impact on other professionals that affects their productivity. 
• Workplace conflicts. The relationship between workers and the company may deteriorate, especially if the cause of the accident is linked to inadequate safety measures or a lack of suitable protective equipment.
• Worker adaptation. Any new professional in a supermarket or store needs an adjustment period to understand work dynamics and carry out tasks that an experienced worker performs efficiently. 

Reducing workplace accidents in stores and supermarkets is possible with the help of a risk prevention system that includes protective materials for workers.  At Shoes For Crews, we have a wide footwear catalogue that adapts to the needs of the professionals in your store or supermarket and guarantees their wellbeing. Contact us and we will provide all the information you require.