Why Are Safe Shoes Important for Supermarket Sales Staff?

When asked, “Who actually needs to wear safety shoes?”, many people would probably not answer “supermarket sales staff”, but rather the usual professions such as construction workers, chefs and police officers. 

We explain below why this is not entirely correct and why supermarket sales staff should also rely on safety shoes or at least safe work shoes. 

Why Are Safe Shoes Important for Sales Staff?

The main aim of safe shoes for sales staff is, of course, to ensure occupational safety and prevent accidents. However, to do this, we need to understand not only the various hazards in the supermarket, but also select the right shoe.

First of all, we need to understand that not every shoe is suitable for every area of work. It is simply not appropriate to wear a heavier safety shoe with a toe cap if your day-to-day work does not require it. However, it is also not advisable to work in a work shoe when greater protection is actually required.

Potential Hazards in the Supermarket

Even though the hazards in a supermarket are less obvious than, for example, in a commercial kitchen or factory, they should not be underestimated. Depending on the supermarket and area of responsibility, there are several sources of danger for sales staff that need to be considered and assessed.

The most common hazards fall into these two categories:

1. Mechanical hazards: Mechanical hazards include, for example, crushing injuries caused by falling crates or accidents involving forklifts. Stepping on sharp objects, such as broken bottles, or bumping toes against heavy objects can also be mechanical hazards.
2. Chemical hazards: As the name suggests, chemical hazards include handling chemicals or oils. Aggressive cleaning products can pose a risk to supermarket employees.

If the sales staff in your supermarket are actually exposed to these two hazards, for example because they use forklifts to unload and stock deliveries or because they are exposed to aggressive cleaning products, then your sales staff should definitely wear safety shoes . Only these provide sufficient protection against these types of hazards. 

A Suitable Hazard Analysis

Of course, a well-founded hazard analysis is necessary when considering why and how safe shoes for sales staff need to be. Fortunately for all employees and employers, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) has published DGUV Rule 112-991, which provides important tips on foot and knee protection.

To properly answer our question about sufficiently safe shoes for supermarket sales staff, the third section of the DGUV rule is particularly important. It explains risk assessment as follows:

“A risk assessment is required in order to select the appropriate foot or knee protection according to the type of hazards. It must also take into account when and how often the hazards can actually occur.”

It is therefore important to ask not only which hazards may occur, but also how often they actually occur. This may sound somewhat abstract at first, but the practical guidance in Annex 1 of the DGUV rule on which hazards must be covered by foot protection and what a foot protection hazard assessment should look like makes it easier to understand.

In our blog post “How Often Must Employers Provide Safety Shoes?”, you will find more detailed information on the legal basis for safety shoes and when they must be provided. 

What Must a Safe Shoe for Sales Staff Be Able to Do? 

As always, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what safe shoes for sales staff must be able to do. However, our experts at Shoes For Crews have identified the two most important points that, in their view, every shoe for supermarket sales staff should meet. 

Depending on the outcome of the hazard analysis, these features should then be sought in either a safety shoe or work shoe . By the way, you can find out exactly what safety shoes are in our article on “S1, S2 and S3 Safety Shoes: The Differences”. 

Slip-Resistant Outsole:

An absolute must for shoes used in the supermarket is a slip-resistant outsole. It reduces the risk of accidents caused by slipping or tripping and gives your employees more secure footing. 

Did you know that all Shoes For Crews shoes are equipped with a slip-resistant outsole that exceeds all industry standards? And it makes no difference whether they are work shoes or safety shoes.

Comfort: 

Comfort, or rather the lack of it, can also be a source of danger for supermarket sales staff. Long shifts spent standing place considerable strain on the body. Unsuitable footwear and a lack of prevention can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. 

We explain just how dangerous prolonged standing can be in “Prolonged Standing at Work: The Dangers”. You can then find suitable prevention tips in “5 Tips to Make Working While Standing Easier”.

In our view, equipping sales staff with safe shoes is just as important as equipping police officers, chefs or construction workers. Just because the hazards are less visible does not mean they do not exist. So, if you need help choosing safe shoes for the sales staff in your supermarket, please feel free to contact us at any time. Together, we are sure to find the right solution—for greater safety in your employees’ workplace!