What are the main workplace risks in supermarkets?

Working in a supermarket is very demanding, both physically and mentally. Customer service, transporting heavy loads, and handling machinery and sharp utensils pose a real challenge for employees and, consequently, for occupational risk prevention specialists.

To ensure safety and look after the wellbeing of your workforce, it is advisable to establish specific protocols and provide the necessary PPE to minimise the most common workplace risks in supermarkets. We detail them below.

Impacts and cuts

Any job involving the movement and transport of more or less heavy loads carries a risk of impacts. Accidental collisions with items that are out of their usual place or products falling onto the lower limbs are very common in this type of establishment. In addition, deli, butcher's and fish counter sections require the use of sharp knives and cutting tools, increasing the likelihood of cuts or puncture wounds to the hands or arms. 

Providing adequate training in the use of supermarket machinery and utensils, as well as establishing clear rules on orderliness in stores, will enable employees to work more safely.

Tendinitis

One of the duties of supermarket cashiers is to scan products with the barcode reader before payment. This repetitive, continuous movement makes them more prone to developing tendinitis in their wrists.

Prevention starts with establishing rotating shifts that reduce time spent at the checkout, setting a minimum rest period, and equipping staff with wrist supports or splints that limit movement and prevent injuries.

Overexertion and back injuries

When handling heavy loads, there is a risk of injury if the correct posture is not adopted. In supermarkets, they often have to be handled while seated at the checkout, which increases the likelihood of getting hurt.

Overexertion can lead to back pain, hernias, sciatica or lower back pain. To minimise it, we recommend establishing a continuous training plan that helps your employees learn the best posture for moving loads and investing in machinery such as forklifts or pallet trucks to make heavy work easier. In addition, back support belts should form part of the work uniform for staff members who regularly move heavy objects without the aid of machinery.

Sprains and twists

By spending long periods standing and making quick movements, supermarket employees can suffer twists and sprains. Once again, providing training is a fundamental part of prevention. However, paying special attention to employees' footwear is equally important. The key features to consider when choosing it are: 

• Outsole: as flat as possible so that the heel is not raised excessively. 
• Midsole: rigid to provide stability and allow the foot to flex properly.
• Heel: high enough to protect the Achilles tendon and prevent chafing.

Slips and falls 

Even with a strict cleaning policy in place, liquids are often spilled or food debris falls onto supermarket floors, which can cause slips and falls. Hiring cleaning staff to constantly check the aisles and providing the entire workforce with footwear with slip-resistant soles are two measures that will minimise this type of accident.

The patented Shoes For Crews outsole provides unique grip and excellent traction that prevents slips even in extreme conditions. Our different footwear models are tailored to the needs of the various jobs in a supermarket, and all feature our innovative slip-resistant technology.

Our R&D&I department is in continuous development of new technologies that improve the quality of our work shoes and trainers. Contact us and we will provide all the information you need to ensure your supermarket employees wear the most suitable footwear for their role.