Safety Matters

Holiday music is playing and Santa has arrived at malls around the province, you know what that means… the holiday shopping season has arrived. According to the Retail Council of Canada’s annual Holiday Shopping Survey, 40 per cent of Canadians plan to spend on Black Friday. If you plan on checking out the sales, be sure to keep safety top of mind – not just your own, but that of other shoppers, and especially those retail workers, many of whom will be working long hours. After all, what’s the use of those new shoes if you’re confined to the couch because you sprained your ankle by tripping over a box someone left on the floor?

Resources to keep retail workers safe

Statistics from 2014 to 2018, show that the highest number of registered claims for retail workers took place in the month of November. Often during this time of year, retailers increase staff numbers to keep up with the holiday rush. If you’re one of those retailers, be sure to check out the Retail page on worksafeforlife.ca, where you’ll find useful resources, including a guide for new retail workers and be sure to share it with those who are new to your team. 

In 2018, WCB Nova Scotia had 2,061 registered claims from the retail industry. Of those claims, 1,015 were sprains and strains. There are many causes for sprains and strains, one of which is the moving around the large amount of stock that fills up back rooms this year. Our info sheet on lifting and lowering can help prevent these type of injuries.