Retail Trade: an 8-week safety conversation plan

Week 1

Opening, closing and changing store conditions

Plan staffing, customer access, weather, deliveries and escalation for the shift.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 2

Receiving, unloading and stock movement

Coordinate delivery vehicles, dock/curb conditions, carts, loads and pedestrian access.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 3

Ladders, overhead stock and falling objects

Select suitable access equipment, control the area and store materials to prevent falls and falling objects.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 4

Material handling and ergonomic strain

Use team lifts or equipment where appropriate and plan the route, load size and storage height.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 5

Powered equipment and customer separation

Control access and travel while using pallet jacks, lifts, compactors or other site equipment.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 6

Housekeeping, spills and customer-area hazards

Respond to spills, damaged floors, aisle obstructions and transitions without creating new exposure.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 7

Cleaning chemicals and task-specific PPE

Identify products, dilution/transfer steps, ventilation, labeling, hygiene and incompatible materials.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Week 8

Emergency readiness and violence prevention

Review alarms, exits, communication and response roles appropriate to the location and opening hours.

Ask the crew: What changed today that could make this work harder or less predictable?

Planned · 445 Food and Beverage Retailers

Receiving and unloading a delivery

Coordinate vehicle position, unloading method, load stability, staging and separation from customers.

Planned · 444 Building Material and Garden Equipment Retailers

High-shelf stocking using a rolling ladder

Inspect and position access equipment, control aisle traffic and transfer stock within equipment limits.

Planned · 455 General Merchandise Retailers

Compactor clearing and service

Define authorized operation, isolation, jam response and qualified service boundaries.