Safety Tutorial for a Grocery Store Employee

1. Safety Tutorial for a Grocery Store Employee Cheryl Sweeney Internship Coordinator

2. Pre-Test (True/False Questions) • As an employee, it is not your responsibility to know where the fire exits are. T/F • Jeans are appropriate to wear to work if you work in a grocery store. T/F • An example of safety equipment in a grocery store would be a wrist support for keyboard. T/F • Back supports for lifting heavy objects are unacceptable to wear when working as a student. T/F • There are hazardous chemicals in a grocery store environment. T/F

3. Training Tasks • Use a computer/scanner to total customer’s purchases • Bag/deliver groceries • Prepare products for sale (floral, bakery, deli, etc.)

4. Appropriate Clothing • Casual attire (no low cut shirts or midriff showing) • No jeans • Hair pulled back or hair net • No sneakers • Uniform if appropriate

5. Safety Equipment • Safety Glasses • Proper gloves (department specific) • Keyboard supports • Back harness supports • Anti-fatigue mat

6. Tools • Knives • Sharp box cutter

7. Equipment/Machinery • Computer/Scanner • Dollie/hand truck • Meat Slicer • Dough Mixer

8. Talk to your supervisor if any of these things are present Electrical • Avoid overloaded circuits • Make sure extension cords are away from aisle walkways and hidden • Avoid frayed wires

9. Floors, Doors, Exits • Be aware of the floor plan of your worksite • Know where the nearest exit and door is near your workstation in case of an emergency.

10. Chemical Hazards • Odorous cleaning supplies • “White out”

11. Ergonomic Hazards - Lifting • Lift within the preferred/acceptable work zone • Keep items close to body when lifting • Use support devices to assist in lifting

12. Fire • During orientation, be sure to clarify where the fire extinguishers are. • If unsure about fire precautions/procedures, ask your supervisor.

13. Robbery, Bomb Scares • Understand company procedures for threats from customers/fellow employees • Speak to supervisor if still unclear on procedures

14. Angry/Threatening Customers • Understand procedures for dealing with angry customers – fact of life. • Always take a deep breath in trying to react to an unpleasant situation.

15. How and to Whom Do You Report an Injury • Policy for reporting an injury (medical personnel, Human Resources, etc.) • Where is paperwork kept? • Timeframe requirements?

16. Post-Test (True/False Questions) • As an employee, it is not your responsibility to report safety concerns to your supervisor. T/F • Even if your company has a required uniform, it might be possible because you are a student you are exempt from wearing it. T/F • Because you are a student in a work-based learning program, you are not held responsible for reporting to work on time. T/F • “White out” is a hazardous chemical sometimes found in clerical work areas. T/F • There are no hazardous chemicals in a grocery store environment. T/F

17. Post-Test (True/False Questions) • Angry customers are usually encountered by a manager, not a student worker. T/F • A first aid issue you have on the job should be reported to your teacher back at school FIRST before anyone else. T/F • It is necessary to know where the fire exits are in case of an emergency before it happens. T/F • Large organizations do not have to worry about “overloading electrical circuits” -- they have a power system that will take care of this issue. T/F • Each department has specific safety equipment which may occur for just their department. T/F

18. Safety Web Resources • http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/retailgrocery/ • http://youngworker.healthandsafetycentre.org/s/Resources-YoungWorkers.asp

19. Pre-Test Answers • False • False • True • False • True

20. False True False True False False False True False True Post-Test Answers