Alongside this data, on average, one retail worker a year is fatally injured, with the bulk of the fatalities due to long-term contact with chemicals or substances. Comparatively, retail is a lower risk injury environment than say, construction or healthcare. However, no matter where you’re working, safety should always be top of mind.
How can I stay safe working in retail during COVID-19?
Both federal and state Governments release regular announcements regarding the legal requirements for retail companies to continue operating during COVID-19. Following social distancing guidelines is at the top of the list to keep yourself and others COVID-safe, but regularly cleaning the store, washing your hands, and ensuring customers use hand sanitiser upon entry are all ways to mitigate the risks associated with COVID.- providing safe systems of work;
- maintaining safe equipment and PPE where necessary;
- maintaining a safe workplace; and
- providing employees with adequate facilities, training, supervision and instruction.
- providing safe systems of work;
- maintaining safe equipment and PPE where necessary;
- maintaining a safe workplace; and
- providing employees with adequate facilities, training, supervision and instruction.
If you were injured because your employer neglected to provide any of the above, you may be able to put forward a claim for personal injury compensation. This is not limited to one-off injuries either and includes injuries that may have occurred over a period of time during the course of your employment, late onset injuries, and exacerbation of pre-existing injuries. General damages will compensate you for the pain you have experienced as well as any permanent loss of enjoyment of life that results from your injury and any future pain associated with the injury.