{"id":357932,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/workplace-safety\/osha-crowd-control-safety-tips-for-retailers.html"},"modified":"2024-03-21T12:27:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T17:27:43","slug":"osha-crowd-control-safety-tips-for-retailers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/workplace-safety\/osha-crowd-control-safety-tips-for-retailers.html","title":{"rendered":"OSHA Crowd Control Safety Tips for Retailers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

OSHA Crowd Control Safety Tips for Retailers<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

While the holiday season marks a time of celebration, high-traffic sales events can raise safety concerns for retail employers and employees. Shoppers can visit on alternative days to avoid the rush. But for many retail establishments and their employees, this may not be a viable option.<\/p>\r\n

More than 100 people in the United States have been injured<\/a> in Black Friday <\/a>sales incidents, including a dozen fatalities. In response, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/a> (OSHA) created crowd control safety guidelines. <\/a>These guidelines aim to help retail store owners reduce the risk of work-related injuries.<\/p>\r\n

Retail workers should be aware of their legal protections during big sale events. By understanding OSHA’s guidelines, employees can gauge whether their workplace follows the recommended safety protocols.<\/p>\r\n

For more information, visit OSHA’s website at <\/a>www.osha.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Planning for a Big Sale<\/h2>\r\n

Employers should take steps before the big shopping day to properly train employees. This includes finding necessary support staff and preparing for large crowds. When a retailer expects large crowds, they may be able to have trained security personnel<\/a> or law enforcement on site.<\/p>\r\n

Employee training<\/a> includes awareness of crowd management procedures, emergency plans, and practice test scenarios. A detailed staffing plan should ensure there are enough employees to prepare for a safe event. Employees should be clear on their duties and location within the store. Other preparation options include:<\/p>\r\n