Store Safety. Chapter 1 Study Guide: Establishing a Culture of Safety. Introduction & Course Objectives. Section 2: Hazardous Store Services

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1 Chapter 1 Study Guide: Establishing a Culture of Safety Introduction & Course Objectives Section 1: Store Manager s Responsibility Section 2: Hazardous Store Services Section 3: Following Store Safety Rules Section 4: 6 Principles of Safety Leadership Section 5: Store Safety Manual Section 6: 10 General Safety Rules to Follow Section 7: Knowing Everyone s Role Introduction & Course Objectives In the first two modules of NRHA s Loss Prevention course, we defined the different components that make up retail shrinkage and thoroughly examined the topics of Internal and External Theft. In this module, we will take a look at Basic Store Safety and the importance for home improvement retail stores to develop a store safety program. Store safety is everyone s responsibility, so let s get started. The learning objectives for this course include: 1. Learning about basic store safety measures and how you can help establish a culture of safety in your store. 2. Learning what to do when accidents occur. Section 2: Hazardous Store Services Even some of the store services that home improvement retailers offer, such as key cutting, glass cutting, lawnmower blade sharpening, pipe threading and loading of heavy products, can be dangerous if not performed correctly. Section 3: Following Store Safety Rules That s why as an employee of a retail home improvement store, it s extremely important to follow established safety rules to ensure that your workplace is as safe as possible for you, your coworkers and your customers. To accomplish this requires a comprehensive approach set forth by store management. It also requires total compliance of store associates to establish and foster an ongoing culture of safety throughout the store. 3. Learning how to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Section 1: Store Manager s Responsibility Each year, people are injured in retail home improvement stores, including both employees and customers. This comes as no surprise when considering how many people visit these stores during the course of a year. Accidents are bound to happen from time to time in any retail environment. Reducing the likelihood of accidents happening in your store, and knowing what to do when accidents happen, is what this training module is all about. While it s important for all retailers to follow safety guidelines and procedures, it s even more important when considering all the inherently dangerous products sold at home improvement stores. Products such as paint and lawn & garden chemicals, cutting tools, power tools, climbing devices and lumber and building materials, present special hazards that you need to be fully aware of. Section 4: 6 Principles of Safety Leadership It is store management s responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for employees and a safe shopping environment for customers. This is based upon the understanding that: Management is Responsible for the Prevention of Injuries That All Accidents Can be Prevented That Ongoing Safety Training is Essential That All Hazards Can be Safeguarded That Safety is Good Business, and That Working Safely is a Condition of Employment These principles of safety leadership are the building blocks for developing a comprehensive and ongoing store safety program. Section 5: Store Safety Manual Any safety program should start with a written plan where all necessary information is readibly available for everyone to see. This written plan is called a Store Safety Manual, and it serves as the outline for developing an effective ongoing safety strategy. If your store doesn t have a Safety Manual, the contents of this COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 1

2 Chapter 1 Study Guide: Establishing a Culture of Safety Introduction & Course Objectives Section 1: Store Manager s Responsibility Section 2: Hazardous Store Services Section 3: Following Store Safety Rules Section 4: 6 Principles of Safety Leadership Section 5: Store Safety Manual Section 6: 10 General Safety Rules to Follow Section 7: Knowing Everyone s Role course can be the starting point for developing one. While many retailers list general safety rules and guidelines in the store policy manual, it s oftentimes an afterthought in the context of everything else an employee has to remember about store policies. That s why it s important to compile a dedicated Safety Manual so everyone understands the importance that store safety plays in the success of the business. Before getting into the specific details of the store safety procedures, which will address in Chapter 3 of this module, the introduction to the Store Safety Manual should include General Safety Rules as well as an assignment of responsibility and policy statement for safe retail practices. Let s look at each of these in more detail. Section 6: 10 General Safety Rules to Follow Any Safety Manual should include general safety rules for all employees to follow. This section of the safety manual should also spell out that employees are responsible for knowing and following the store s written safety program as a condition of employment. Make sure the following 10 safety guidelines are included in the introduction to your Store Safety Manual. 1. Employees should never perform an unsafe act or one that is suspected of being unsafe. 2. All injuries should be reported immediately to store management 3. Any unsafe conditions should be reported immediately 4. Horseplay and unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated 5. Intoxicants or people under the influence of intoxicants are not permitted on the property 6. Firearms and weapons are not permitted on the property 7. Good housekeeping is everyone s responsibility. Exits, stairways and passageways must be kept clear at all times. 8. Appropriate dress regulations should be followed at all times 9. Protective equipment will be provided and must be worn when necessary. 10. Equipment and machinery must be operated according to standard operating procedures without removing or altering any of the safety devices present on that equipment. Section 7: Knowing Everyone s Role While maintaining a safe retail environment is everyone s responsibility, clear definitions of responsibility are necessary to set up and maintain an effective safety program. That s why a formal Assignment of Responsibility should be included in the Store Safety Manual. There are generally three levels of safety accountability that should be observed within your overall safety program, including: Director of Safety This person is oftentimes the store owner or general manager and is ultimately responsible for interpreting, applying and enforcing occupational safety and health standards through the store s managers and supervisors. The general role of the Safety Director is to: Administer Policy Provide Technical Information To Train and Supply Materials to Supervisors and Employees Departmental Manager Department managers are generally the people most engrained in ongoing safety practices within a retail home improvement store. They have constant contact with the people in their departments and also know the inherent dangers their departments represent. This person should be able to identify and correct unsafe conditions by soliciting regular input from his or her staff. The Employee After employees receive formal safety training, their job is to constantly look for conditions in the store that could lead to potential injury for themselves, co-workers or customers. Employees should inspect their workplace on a daily basis and report anything they find to their department manager or direct supervisor. That Safety is Good Business, and COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 2

3 Chapter 1 Study Guide: Establishing a Culture of Safety Introduction & Course Objectives Section 1: Store Manager s Responsibility Section 2: Hazardous Store Services Section 3: Following Store Safety Rules Section 4: 6 Principles of Safety Leadership Section 5: Store Safety Manual Section 6: 10 General Safety Rules to Follow Section 7: Knowing Everyone s Role That Working Safely is a Condition of Employment These principles of safety leadership are the building blocks for developing a comprehensive and ongoing store safety program. COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 3

4 Chapter 2 Study Guide: Preventing Accidents Section 1: Alarming Statistics Section 2: Common Accidents Section 3: Typical Causes Section 4: Reason s Employees get Careless Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist Section 1: Common Accidents in Home Improvement Stores According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 15 workers die each day from traumatic injuries suffered on the job. This equates, on average, to 5,400 worker deaths each year from occupational injuries. In addition, more than 4 million workers suffer nonfatal injuries or illnesses each year. Every day, approximately 11,500 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses occur, with more than half requiring work restrictions or time away from the jobs as a result. Among all workers in the United States, 9,000 workers are treated in hospital emergency rooms each day, which equates to an estimated 3.3 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses that are serious enough to be treated in hospital emergency rooms. As you can see, safety is vitally important in the workplace. Section 2: Common Accidents What types of injuries do we see most often in the home improvement retailing industry? According to research, five of the most common accidents in home improvement stores include: Strain-Related Injuries. Commonly caused by loading or carrying objects weighing more than 50 lbs., such as bags of concrete, salt, paint cans, propane canisters and pallets. Cuts, Punctures and Scrapes. One of the most common causes of cuts is using box cutters to open boxes of inventory. Falls. Falling from ladders or other lift devices can be very serious due to the nature of the injuries suffered from the fall. Slipping or Tripping accidents are usually caused by items in the aisles, including pallets and tote boxes. Struck-By or Striking-Against Injuries, are injuries where employees are either struck by an object or run into an object. Chemical Inhalation, Absorption and Ingestion Injuries resulting from products either sold or used in the store that contain ignitables, toxics, caustics or reactives. These will be discussed later in this module. Oftentimes these injuries occur when employees are working with these chemicals in the store or when cleaning up spills involving these substances. Section 3: Typical Causes While these accidents are caused by a variety of circumstances, national safety figures suggest that 8 out of every 10 accidents are the result of carless employees. What s more, Unsafe Acts are four times more likely to cause accidents than Unsafe Conditions in the workplace. That s why safety training for store personnel is so imperative. 8 out of 10 Accidents are the Result of Careless Employees Unsafe Acts are 4x More Likely to Cause Accidents than Unsafe Working Conditions Section 4: Reason s Employees Get Careless So why are employees careless? For a wide variety of reasons. But some of the more common reasons are listed here: Taking Safety Procedures for Granted After becoming familiar performing day-to-day tasks, oftentimes we start to ignore set safety procedures. But taking safety for granted is how many serious accidents occur. Taking Shortcuts While everyone wants to complete day-today tasks in a as little time as possible, shortcuts many times lead to injury in the workplace. Incomplete Instructions for Task To perform a task in the workplace safely and correctly, we need complete and accurate instructions. This is especially true for new tasks. If you don t feel you have proper instructions for a task, be sure to ask your supervisor before proceeding. Take the safe approach don t be afraid to ask. Housekeeping Issues: Public Areas Salesfloor Housekeeping is vitally important in the public areas of your store, for safety s sake as well as fostering favorable consumer perceptions of the store in general. Nobody wants to shop in a dirty, cluttered store. Besides, cluttered stores present additional safety hazards for customers and employees alike. Housekeeping Issues: Non Public Areas Sometimes retailers spend all their attention keeping the salesfloor and COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 4

5 Chapter 2 Study Guide: Preventing Accidents Section 1: Alarming Statistics Section 2: Common Accidents Section 3: Typical Causes Section 4: Reason s Employees get Careless Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist public areas of the store clean and organized, but forget about the non-public areas in the store, such as storage and receiving areas. When these areas are cluttered and dirty, it often leads to worker frustration and ultimately injury. Be sure non-public places in the store are as clean and tidy as the salesfloor. Distractions Tasks that come with safety risks should command our full attention when performing them. Remaining completely focused on the task at hand and closely following related safety procedures is important in reducing injuries at work. Not Wearing Proper Safety Equipment One of the best ways to prevent injury resulting from accidents in the workplace is to wear proper safety equipment when performing tasks. Be sure to wear protective Eye, Hearing and Respiratory Protection; Gloves and Proper Clothing; and Back Support for Lifting whenever it is appropriate. Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures In addition to making sure employees are fully engaged in safety awareness and that they understand that accidents happen most often when people get careless, a good safety plan should address the common types of injuries that we previously discussed, including: Strain-Related Injuries Cuts, Punctures and Scrapes Falls Slipping or Tripping Accidents Struck-By or Striking-Against Injuries Injuries resulting from Chemical Inhalation, Absorption and Ingestion Let s address each of these separately, and talk about preventive measures for each. Strain-Related Injuries generally occur in the back, arm/ shoulder and to the stomach/groin areas of the body. These are many times caused by lifting items that are too heavy for one person. Preventive Measures: Some preventive measures you can take to avoid strain-related injuries include: Stretch each of the major muscle groups before lifting, including arms, back, neck, shoulders, torso/spinal area, thighs, hamstrings and calves. Use proper lifting techniques and wear a back support belt When lifting heavy items, get help from another employee if possible. Use manual material handling aids whenever possible, including carts and hand trucks. Store heavy/bulky items low to the ground. Conduct lifting and back safety training on a regular basis using NRHA s Back Injury Prevention Guide, which is available on Cuts, Punctures and Scrapes These injuries can be caused by a number of factors. But one of the most common causes of cuts is using box cutters to open boxes of inventory. Preventive Measures: Some preventive measures you can take to avoid cutting-related injuries include the following: If using box cutter, make sure they have retractable blades. Always cut away from yourself when possible, never toward your body. Wear sturdy safety gloves to protect hands when working with blades and knives. Falls from Ladders or other lift devices Employees should follow all safety rules that come with the lift devices used in the store, including rolling ladders and step ladders. For more information on ladder safety training, go to where you can find additional information on ladder safety training. Use rolling metal stepladders with handrails when retrieving items from upper shelves and in the store room. For other tasks, small aluminum step ladders with hand holds are lightweight and are easy to move around the store. These COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 5

6 Chapter 2 Study Guide: Preventing Accidents Section 1: Alarming Statistics Section 2: Common Accidents Section 3: Typical Causes Section 4: Reason s Employees get Careless Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist ladders allow employees to stabilize themselves when climbing. Large, heavy or awkwardly shaped items should always be placed on lower shelves where employees don t have to use a ladder to reach or move them. For more information on ladder safety training, go to This site has lots of helpful information from the American Ladder Institute. Preventive Measures for Slipping: Clean up spills immediately using proper safety precautions Many spills can simply be mopped up. However, hazardous material spills must be cleaned up using proper methods and precautions. Make sure flooring has adequate traction throughout the store. Be aggressive about removing ice outside the store. Struck-By or Striking-Against Injuries These injuries can result from a variety of factors, including bungee cords, dumpster lids, gates, hand trucks, compressed air tanks, pipes, lawn mower blades and even tents, to name just a few. While no specific list of preventive measures covers all situations, employees should be aware of and anticipate struck-by injuries that could result from the tasks they are working on. Only then can you take preventive measures to reduce the risk of injury. Preventive Measures: Some preventive measures you can take to avoid struck-by injuries include: Anticipating Struck-By Risks Plan in advance to avoid potential injuries. Wear Safety Glasses to protect eyes. Slips and Trips Accidents related to slipping and tripping can occur both inside and outside the store. Trips are usually caused when someone s foot collides with an object, including items left in the aisles such as products and shipping containers like pallets and tote boxes. Slips also result from slipping on a liquid or oily substance on the floor or when wet or icy conditions exist outside. Preventive Measures for Tripping include: Keep aisles clean from products and totes Make sure lighting levels are adequate All carpeting and rugs should be flat and free of wrinkles Uneven flooring should be clearly marked Chemical Spill Injuries Most home improvement stores sell chemicals that can be dangerous when spilled or used improperly. The three different classifications of injuries that can result from chemical spills are listed below, along with preventive measures to take for each. But remember to always check with your supervisor first before attempting to clean up any hazardous spill. And always read Material Safety Data Sheets for safety information related to chemicals you are working with. Inhalation Injuries involve breathing in hazardous vapors Preventive Measures include: Never sniffing a container containing chemicals. Make sure any hazardous spill is covered quickly to reduce evaporation into the air. Ventilate the area thoroughly. This may mean having to wait to clean up the spill until the facility is well ventilated. Absorption Injuries involve chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin and pass directly into the blood stream Preventive Measures include: Always wearing rubber safety gloves when handling chemicals. Always wear eye protection when handling chemicals. Wash hands frequently throughout the day, but especially after touching chemicals. If you come in contact with chemicals when not wearing gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then seek COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 6

7 Chapter 2 Study Guide: Preventing Accidents Section 1: Alarming Statistics Section 2: Common Accidents Section 3: Typical Causes Section 4: Reason s Employees get Careless Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist medical attention if necessary. Ingestion injuries occur when chemicals are transferred from hand to mouth. Preventive Measures include: Always wearing rubber safety gloves when handling chemicals. You are unlikely to rub your eyes or put fingers in your mouth when wearing gloves. Wash hands frequently throughout the day, but especially after touching chemicals. Make a conscious effort to keep your hands away from your mouth. Hazardous Chemicals As part of your overall safety program, your store safety plan should specifically address the different types of chemical spills and what to do when one occurs. This plan should address what to do when a spill occurs involving the following types of substances: Ignitables there are hundreds of products sold in home improvement stores that are either flammable or combustible, including: acetone, lighter fluid, adhesives, paint thinners, oil base paints, insecticides and alcohol, to name just a few. Toxics Are poisonous to the body and can cause illness or death. Common toxic products include: fertilizers, paints, weed killers, insecticides, rodent killers, anti-freeze, etc. Caustics A caustic is anything that burns, strongly irritates, corrodes or destroys skin. Common caustics sold in home improvement stores includes: muriatic acid used in swimming pools, sodium hydroxide used in drain cleaners, and sulfuric acid used in drain cleaners. Reactives These chemicals can react violently when mixed with other products, for example when dry or liquid chlorine is mixed with water in a confined area. Take Immediate Action: All of these substances require different handling and cleanup methods, but a good general plan of action would include the following 10 steps: 1. Alert your supervisor and anyone close by immediately 2. If there is a fire or a need for immediate medical attention, call If anyone has been contaminated, remove contaminated clothing right away and administer proper first aid (see next section). 4. If the spill is flammable in nature, control sources of ignition and ventilate the area immediately. 5. Be sure to wear personal protective equipment proper for the spill you are dealing with, including eye protection, gloves and respirator, etc. 6. Always read Material Safety Data Sheets for safety information related to chemicals you are working with. 7. Protect floor drains to avoid an environmental release 8. Clean up the spill using proper treatment methods, such as absorption spill kits, according to what is outlined in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). 9. Place absorbed materials in proper container as outlined in the MSDS and dispose of properly. 10. Thoroughly clean the affect area and begin the accident investigation. To learn more about handling these hazardous substances, be sure to check out NRHA s Hazardous Materials Training Course available on where you can also order products used to clean up hazardous spills. Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist A sample safety inspection checklist is available to download at It includes columns for areas to inspect, which are grouped both by location in store as well as type of hazard. It also has check boxes for Yes/No or Not Applicable. There are also areas to document what type of improvement is recommended as well as the correction action taken. You can use this list as is or edit it for your particular store s needs. COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 7

8 Chapter 2 Study Guide: Preventing Accidents Section 1: Alarming Statistics Section 2: Common Accidents Section 3: Typical Causes Section 4: Reason s Employees get Careless Section 5: Taking Preventative Measures Section 6: Safety Inspection Checklist COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 8

9 Chapter 3 Study Guide: Accident Response Section 1: Basic First Aid Section 2: First Aid Steps Section 3: Medical Treatment Section 4: Addressing Specific Injuries Section 5: The Accident Investigation Section 6: Ongoing Safety Training Section 7: Store Meetings Section 8: Your Store s Emergency Action Plan Section 1: Basic First Aid Having a basic understanding of first aid procedures is a critical part of any store safety program. All employees should know basic first aid procedures and instructions on what to do after an accident takes place so they can react quickly when the time comes. According to OSHA, first aid includes the following treatments for injury: Cleaning a wound on the surface of the skin Applying a wound cover, such as a bandage or gauze pad Applying heat or cold to reduce swelling or ease muscle pain Applying an elastic bandage or wrap for support Removing splinters or foreign materials from the body using fingers, tweezers or cotton swabs Removing foreign substances from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab Providing drinking fluids for relief of heat stress Section 2: First Aid Steps A First aid kit should be kept in a place where all store personnel have fast and easy access to it, for example in an office or the employee lounge. When you sustain an injury or are involved in an accident and require minor first aid you should follow these steps: Step #1: Inform your supervisor Step #2: Administer first aid treatment to the injury or wound Step #3: Indicate usage of medical supplies and provide details in the accident investigation report, which we will discuss in the next section. Section 3: Medical Treatment If an employee sustains an injury requiring treatment other than first aid, it is usually considered a Non-Emergency Medical Treatment or an Emergency Medical Treatment, depending on the severity of the injury. Here s what to do for either of these types of injuries, which include wounds, broken bones, neck and spine injury, severe burns and eye injuries: Step #1: Inform your supervisor of the injury if it isn t an emergency or call 911 for help or seek assistance from a coworker if it is. Step #2: Use the emergency telephone number and instructions posted next to the telephone in your work area to request assistance and transportation to the local hospital emergency room. For non-emergencies that require medical assistance, proceed to the posted medical facility immediately. Your supervisor will assist with transportation if necessary. Step #3: Provide details of the accident in the accident investigation report Section 4: Addressing Specific Injuries Wounds: For Wounds, Including Minor Cuts, Lacerations, Abrasions or Punctures Requiring First Aid wash the wound using soap and water and rinse it well. Then cover the wound using a clean dressing. For Large or Deep Cuts Requiring Medical Attention first stop the bleeding by pressing directly on the wound using a large bandage or cloth. Keep pressure on the wound until medical help arrives. Burns: For Thermal (Heat) Burns rinse the burned area and immerse it in cold water. Do not scrub the burn and do not use ice water. For Chemical Burns flush the exposed area with cool water immediately for 15 to 20 minutes. Broken Bones: When someone has suffered a broken bone, do not move the victim unless it is absolutely necessary. If the victim must be moved, splint the injured area. Use a board, cardboard or rolled newspaper as a splint. COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 9

10 Chapter 3 Study Guide: Accident Response Section 1: Basic First Aid Section 2: First Aid Steps Section 3: Medical Treatment Section 4: Addressing Specific Injuries Section 5: The Accident Investigation Section 6: Ongoing Safety Training Section 7: Store Meetings Section 8: Your Store s Emergency Action Plan Eye Injuries: For eye Injuries Involving Small Particles do not rub eyes. Use the corner of a soft clean cloth to draw particles out, or hold the eyelids open and flush the eyes continuously with water. For Large or Stuck Particles do not attempt to remove it. Cover both eyes with a bandage and either call for or seek out medical help. For Chemical Spills immediately irrigate the eyes and area under the eyelids with water for 30 minutes. Neck and Spine Injury: If the victim appears to have injured his or her neck or spine, or is unable to move his or her arms or legs, do not attempt to move the victim unless it is absolutely necessary to keep the victim from further harm. Call immediately for medical assistance. For Heat Exhaustion: Loosen any tight clothing on the victim. Give the victim sips of cool water. Make the victim lie down in a cooler place with their feet raised. Section 5: The Accident Investigation As the saying goes Accidents will happen. However, it s what we do to make sure accidents don t keep happening over and over again that really counts. That s why the accident investigation is so important, because it helps store management determine: 1. How the Accident Happened 2. Why the Accident Happened and, most importantly 3. How to Prevent the Accident from happening again. How to Handle an Accident Investigation: It is store management s responsibility to conduct an accident investigation following an accident resulting in injury, then to document the results and keep records of all accidents. Here are some basic pointers on how to conduct an accident investigation: 1. Don t Wait Whether it s a minor accident or an accident involving a major injury, the longer you delay the investigation, the more difficult it will be to get the accurate information you need. 2. Investigate for Prevention Remember that the purpose of the investigation isn t assign blame, it s to prevent the accident from happening again. Ask yourself these questions when conducting the investigation: - What object (or part of the object) or substance caused the damage or injury? - What kind of accident was it? - Was it a result of an unsafe act on the part of the employee? - Was it the result of unsafe working conditions? 3. Investigate the Scene of the Accident Visit the scene of the accident and take careful notes before you interview the injured employee. Try to determine how the accident happened, noting things like missing safeguards, objects that are out of place and any other unusual occurrences. 4. Gather All the Facts Be as accurate and thorough as possible. Don t just go with your pre-conceived ideas of what happened. 5. Conduct the Interview It s always a good idea to interview the injured person and any witnesses as soon after the accident as possible, when the incident is still fresh in everyone s minds. 6. Document All Results in the Accident Investigation Report Look for a downloadable generic Accident Investigation Report form in the Sample Store Safety Manual in the appendix section of this module. This document also includes instructions for filling out the form. Section 6: Ongoing Safety Training Ongoing safety training is important in establishing a culture of safety in any home improvement retail store. Not only will it help prevent accidents from happening, but it also demonstrates the company s commitment to maintaining a safe workplace for both COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 10

11 Chapter 3 Study Guide: Accident Response Section 1: Basic First Aid Section 2: First Aid Steps Section 3: Medical Treatment Section 4: Addressing Specific Injuries Section 5: The Accident Investigation Section 6: Ongoing Safety Training Section 7: Store Meetings Section 8: Your Store s Emergency Action Plan employees and customers. Here are some of the types of safety training your store should be conducting on a regular basis: New Hire Orientation Safety Training when a new employee starts at the store, during the orientation period, he or she should be given a copy of the store s safety policy or safety manual, as well as all safety rules. This helps them understand the importance of safety right from the start. Annual Employee Safety Overview Training All employees should be given an overview of the Safety Policy and Safety Rules by their supervisors and managers on an annual basis. Employees affected by various OSHA regulated programs (such as forklift safety training) will be given training on a regular basis or as operations change. Training sessions will be coordinated by their supervisors/managers and the Director of Safety. Training for Supervisors and Managers Supervisors and managers will review the Safety Policy and Safety Rules on an annual basis or more frequently as operations change. This review is to identify and understand the need for revisions or changes. Supervisors and managers will also be given training on OSHA regulated programs that affect their departments, as well as training for Accident Investigation techniques and Safety Management concerns. Section 7: Store Meetings Store meetings provide a great opportunity to discuss safety issues. This is a chance to gather feedback from employees and to review any emergency procedures. Possible safety topics for discussion at employees meetings could include: so be sure to include safety topics in all of your employee meetings. Section 8: Your Store s Emergency Action Plan An emergency action plan is a written document required by particular OSHA standards. Its purpose is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies so that when an emergency occurs, everyone knows what to do. Here is what your store s emergency action plan should include, according to OSHA: 1. A formal means of reporting fires and other emergencies 2. Evacuation procedures and emergency escape routes 3. Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate (if applicable) 4. Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed 5. Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them (if applicable) 6. Names, job titles and contact information for persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan 7. A description of any alarm systems that are used to notify employees to evacuate and take other actions 8. The site of an alternative communications center to be used in the event of a fire or explosion 9. A secure on, or offsite location to store originals or duplicate copies of account records, legal documents, employee emergency contact lists and other essential records 10. A plan for training employees about the plan as well as a means of reviewing and updating the plan A review of store emergency procedures First aid procedures A review of any recent accidents that took place Results of workplace inspections Reports from store safety committee members Ongoing communication of safety issues is the goal here, COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 11

12 Module Test Once you have completed this module, it s time to take the test. To begin, login at with the username and password provided by your training manager. COPYRIGHT 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL HARDWARE ASSOCIATION NRHA.ORG 12