One issue that often gets overlooked in the Southern Shores area when people work retail and food service jobs for primary or additional income is safety. Workplace accidents often remain an out-of-mind concept until something unexpected happens that results in injuries. Even restaurant and retail workers can suffer severe and catastrophic injuries in workplace accidents.
No job is without risk. Working conditions change all the time, and there are times when death is the outcome of a workplace incident. Restaurant and retail workers spend most of the time interacting with the public and in heated and cooled work environments. They experience many situations that put them at risk of injuries. Here are the most common types of injuries restaurant and retail workers should try to avoid.
Burn and fall injuries
Due to the fast-paced demands of their jobs, restaurant and retail workers are more vulnerable to errors that can prove severe or deadly when working around stoves, and open-flame sources. Spills are common in restaurant and retail facilities and contribute to many slip-and-fall accidents and burn injuries each year.
Puncture and cut wounds
Skill and expertise are not enough to prevent all cut-and-laceration causing injuries that occur on the job, but they help reduce risks. Severe cuts and lacerations can lead to disfigurement and other medical complications.
Chemical exposure
Restaurant and retail employees are not immune to the dangers of toxic substances. Common workplace janitorial solutions contain bleach, ammonia and other chemicals that can cause respiratory irritation and disorientation and endanger workers. Exposure to toxic substances at work can impact short- and long-term employee health.
Workplace safety is not solely the responsibility of employers. The severity of long-term impact on accidents victims is mitigated when employees stay aware of the dangers they face and review their employer’s accident reporting procedures and workers’ compensation benefits. Also, an optimal work/life balance contributes to safer work environments and fewer job accidents.
