Protecting Employees on the Job

While we have worked hard to “flatten the curve” during the spread of COVID-19, the truth is that brick-and-mortar retail stores are working hard to keep that curve flat while also protecting employees. Whether your business is considered essential or not, your employees are your best asset — and you need to take steps to show how much you value them.

Social distancing guidelines suggest that people need to keep at least 6 feet apart, but that’s easier said than done for cashiers in places like grocery or convenience stores. You may have already seen variations of “sneeze guards” at a buffet or salad bar, but check-out shields are a bigger, better version that are much safer. They can be made out of a number of materials, but polycarbonate and glass are easy to clean and disinfect. Shields can be permanent or temporary and tailored to fit any size check-out area.

Although masks have been somewhat of a controversial topic, it’s becoming increasingly clear that they work to prevent spreading air-born particles. Non-surgical-grade masks are being strongly recommended for everyone, but especially for employees who are exposed to high-traffic workplaces. Making masks available for every work shift drastically mitigates risk for your entire staff. Face shields are another tool that you can add to your protective equipment options for workers and can be used in healthcare settings along with medical-grade PPE.

Temperature checks are becoming common practice in the workplace as they can easily detect fever, one of the most common signs of illness. Infrared scanner thermometers can take a reading without contact and are suitable for all ages. With many illnesses, coronavirus included, a fever can come on suddenly. Checks throughout the workday can catch a problem before it becomes serious. These scans are also being implemented in a few places to check shoppers before they enter the store, helping protect staff further.

Regulations in many locations limit the number of shoppers that stores can allow in at a time; it’s a safety measure that helps reduce employee exposure to potential illness. Store layouts have also been changed to help support social distancing. This requires wayfinding and signage that help educate customers on store policies regarding these safety measures. Adding informative decals on the floor and doors means that questions about best practices can be answered and interaction with store staff is minimal. Aisle invaders are on-shelf signage that can supplement decals.

As the supply chain continues to feel the impact of a global crisis, inventory may be hard to come by. Stores are limiting the purchase of some items in order to ensure that everyone has access to what they need, and shelf easels are large and great for bulky or large item displays. Shelf barkers do the same thing, but in a smaller format for more compact areas of your store. They’re perfect for conveying information about purchase limits, restocking dates, and price changes. Again, the goal with this addition to your store means that shopper questions about stock are easily answered without having to track down an employee and risk infringing on suggested social distancing.

Occupancy limits and other best practices mean that lines and crowds may form as shoppers wait for their turn, presenting a risk. Barriers, in conjunction with signage, can help manage crowds and remind everyone that it’s best to keep some distance. This frees up store employees from having to personally deal with these crowds and mitigate their exposure risk. It’s an economical and practical multi-purpose tool that can be used in other areas of the store as well.

Ultimately, you’ll need to consult with business, local, and federal guidelines along with OSHA suggestions to better know how you can upfit your retail store to help protect your employees. It’s not only the ethical thing to do, your business will garner a reputation of valuing safety and health — something that will also benefit your bottom line.

During this critical time, we recognize the need for employee and customer safety. Our Personal Protective Equipment offerings are designed to keep employees and customers safe. These solutions are socially responsible and easy to implement in all retail environments. Reach out to us today for more information. Request a Covid-19 Solutions Catalog for our full product offering! Items are available to ship on short lead times.