The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is
encouraging retail employers to implement safety measures to prevent workplace
injuries during major sales events.

Tragic consequences and risk to workers can occur if the proper safety
procedures are ignored. "During the hectic shopping season, retail workers
should not be put at risk of injury or death," said Dr. David Michaels,
assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "OSHA urges
retailers to take the time to adopt a crowd management plan and follow a few
simple guidelines to prevent unnecessary harm to retail employees."

Crowd management plans should, at least, include:

• On-site trained security personnel or police officers


• Barricades or rope lines for pedestrians that do not start right in front of the store's entrance


• The implementation of crowd control measures well in advance of customers arriving at the store


• Emergency procedures in place to address potential dangers,


• Methods for explaining approach and entrance procedures to the arriving public,


• Not allowing additional customers to enter the store when it reaches its maximum occupancy level and


• Not blocking or locking exit doors.

More information

AplusA-online.de - Source: U.S. Department of Labor