Avoid Tragedy By Using Safety Signage

The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safetys FACE (Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation) program investigates details regarding industrial accidents. These accidents include falls from elevations. Upon examining the following case from FACE, consider how a similar and equally tragic incident could easily take place in your retail store if you and your staff use ladders instead of safety signage.

The following case is taken from the FACE website:

A 17 year old retail outlet worker died after falling 18 feet from a fiberglass extension ladder. The teenager was performing general sales work for a building supply store and was in the process of changing a light bulb when he fell from the ladder and hit his head on the tiled concrete floor below. The department manager had attempted to change the bulb from the ladder without success just minutes before, then made the decision to change it after work using a forklift. Common procedure was to place a pallet on a forklift and raise a worker to the proper height so he could get two hands on the light fixture, which hung from a chain.

Instead of putting the ladder away, the youth repositioned the ladder and attempted to change the light bulb by himself. He apparently lost his balance on top of the ladder and fell head first to the floor. He received massive head injuries and died enroute to the hospital.

Sadly, this type of scenario plays out all too often on the sales floor. The intention of the youth was admirable. The youth showed initiative and tried to get the job done, however the lack of safety standards or a proper procedure resulted in this terrible accident.

Falls from ladders can be fatal. Stores that use ladders as opposed to safety signage are unwittingly putting their staff at risk. Even if a proper procedure is in place and all safety precautions are strictly adhered to, ladders pose a significant threat to personal safety especially when trying place a heavy sign while maintaining ones balance.

You do not have to use a ladder if you have the right signage. Safety signage, in the form of a retractable signage system, completely eliminates the need for a ladder or a precarious balancing act. With safety signage, a telescoping rod is used to pull the sign down to the floor. The sign is then quickly and easily changed and raised back into position. Once in position, the self levelling system automatically adjusts the sign. The one changing the sign remains on the floor at all times.

All retail owners have a duty of care to protect themselves and those in their employ. This means using the safest methods possible for high-risk procedures such as sign changes, window washing and light changes. It also means having proper standards in place and regular safety meetings (or at the very least, a safety orientation) to ensure every employee knows and understands the safety rules.

If you are still using ladders to change your in-store retail signage, consider switching to safety signage and avoid being yet another sad case in the FACE programs archives.