Workplace injuries can happen anywhere and to anyone, but grocery store workers are a group of individuals who really need to watch out for accidents and injuries on the job. They come into contact with many people each day, may lift heavy items and could be performing repetitive movements each shift.
Ergonomics are extremely important in a grocery store setting, because good ergonomics can eliminate the risk of repetitive-strain injuries and accidents. The goal of good ergonomics is to reduce the severity of injuries as well as to reduce the number of injuries that take place in workplaces.
The majority of injuries that take place in a grocery store are musculoskeletal disorders, like strains or sprains of the back because of lifting or repetitive motions. Some of the common musculoskeletal injuries that people suffer from include:
- Trigger finger
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tendinitis
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Epicondylitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Each of these, as well as other injuries, should be taken seriously. Any worker who suffers an injury on the job should be able to seek compensation and be able to pursue benefits through workers’ compensation.
How can employers help reduce the risk of injuries in a grocery store?
One important thing to do is to talk to employees. Employees working on the floor are especially familiar with the things that happen and hazards that may be present. Employer should consider:
- Force and the amount of effort required to perform a task
- Awkward and static postures and positions that could lead to injuries
- Contact stress, such as touching sharp objects
- Repetition, such as performing the same movements throughout a shift
Each of these risk factors can play a role in injuries. That’s why it’s essential for employers to do what they can to eliminate those risk factors on the job.
Simple changes, like shortening shifts or alternating tasks, could help with repetitive-strain injuries, for example. Lowering shelving for shorter employees could help them avoid strains and sprains. Similarly, addressing ergonomic concerns in checkout lines could help reduce injuries from twisting, bending or lifting.
These are a few things that employers should think about and that you should know as an employee. If you do end up suffering from an injury while employed at a grocery store, you may be able to file for workers’ compensation to get the benefits and financial coverage that you need while you recover from your injuries.
