Retailers Need To Prioritize Worker Safety On Black Friday

Last updated on Monday, November 19, 2018

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Labor is asking retail employers to take appropriate precautions to ensure worker safety during Black Friday and throughout the holidays. Getting workers and staff through the intense shopping season, which can draw tremendous customer traffic, requires forethought on the part of employers particularly for crowd management.

"Retail employees need proper guidance, planning, and training from their employers to safely manage the crowds during the busiest shopping day of the year, and throughout the entire season," said Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Rick J. Ruble. "The best way to prevent injuries and accidents is to make sure employees are informed and prepared."

Ruble recommends employers develop precautionary actions that address:

Pre-event planning and setup, including the use of line markers or barricades to separate crowds and maintain customer traffic flow
Large, visible signage to inform customers of main door locations or checkout lines
Employee training on crowd direction and organization for all staff members
Emergency situation strategies and procedures that are understood by all employees, including seasonal and part-time staff

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration developed safety guidelines to help employers protect both workers and shoppers during large sales events. These guidelines can be found at www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/Crowd_Control.html.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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