There is a lot that goes on under the roof of a grocery store. For example, the store might have employees who prepare meat, mop floors, stock shelves or collect carts (this last one mostly occurs in the parking lot, of course!).
Much of the time, everything goes fine. Sometimes, though, workers suffer injuries. Here are some situations in which that could happen.
Slipping and falling
A puddle of water on the floor, a piece of trash, a box stacked placed it is not supposed to be or a wobbly ladder can all contribute to slip-and-fall injuries.
Food preparation injuries
Workers could cut their fingers with a knife while slicing meat or cheese. Similarly, workers using an oven or cooking with oil could burn their hands.
Being struck by a vehicle
Even if a vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the injuries could be serious if it strikes a worker who is collecting carts in the parking lot.
Shelf stocking injuries
Workers who are stocking shelves could have a box fall on them from above or could fall from a ladder or stool. The work also involves lifting, bending and reaching, which can lead to shoulder and back injuries.
Repetitive motion injuries
Speaking of bending and reaching, some jobs in a grocery store lend themselves to a lot of the same physical repetitions. Common examples are cashier, bagger and stocker. The physical strain of these tasks can accumulate over time and result in musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Standing injuries
Cashiers and many other grocery store workers must stand for long periods of time. Some grocery stores alleviate the risks associated with standing by providing seats for cashiers, and hopefully, this practice will become more prevalent. At a minimum, cashiers need rest time and sufficient padding, or they risk their feet, back or legs developing serious injuries.
A grocery store worker who sustains an injury while doing work may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
