A retail environment - depending on the nature of the goods being sold - may pose various hazards to staff as well as customers.

Size is also a factor to be considered when considering what reasonable control measures may be required to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring.

Common mishaps in retail environments include:

• cuts and bruises to staff as well as customers

• back aches from manual handling (carrying heavy loads without a mechanical aid)

• slips, trips and falls

• fires (as a result of electrical equipment or arson)

The law requires that any UK working environment that is under the control of an organisation with at least 5 employees, must hold valid and up-to-date health & safety documentation.

For retail environments, the required documents are:

• health & safety policy statement

• fire risk assessment

• general risk assessment

• manual handling risk assessment

• disability access audit

• health & safety annual audit

© Clearworld Health & Safety Ltd 2010