With Black Friday just around the corner, retail stores around the country are preparing for holiday shoppers. Most companies’ number one concern is profit, but OSHA is advising organizations to consider their staff as well. Early this month OSHA released guidelines to prevent worker injuries during the hectic holiday shopping season.
According to OSHA in 2008 a worker was trampled to death during a Black Friday event when a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of the sale. OSHA has outlined Crowd Management Safety Guidelines for Retailers, and hopes that many retailers will institute the safety measures.
“Crowd-related injuries during special retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years,” said David Michaels, OSHA Assistant Secretary. “Many of these incidents can be prevented by adopting a crowd management plan, and this fact sheet provides retail employers with guidelines for avoiding injuries during the holiday shopping season.”
For a copy of the letter sent to retailers visit https://www.osha.gov/ooc/blackfridayletter.pdf
Comments