May 16, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC — May 16, 2003 — Safe work practices and procedures for identifying and eliminating potential hazards are the focus of a new training video unveiled today by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI): “Being Smart! Being Safe!...An Orientation to Retail Store Safety.”

“Every company has a responsibility to provide customers with a safe place to shop and associates with a safe working environment,” said MaryAnn House, senior director, loss prevention services, FMI. “The commitment to maintaining a safe working and shopping environment and avoiding potential hazards is a team effort and an essential responsibility for all associates.”

The 22-minute video provides safety tips for key areas of store operations:

  • Entrance, Walkway and Parking Lot – Loading groceries in a customer’s car, collecting carts from the parking lot and safe operation of automatic doors.

  • Floor Care– Tips on spill cleanup, as well as the position and maintenance of floor mats.

  • Backrooms and Receiving Dock – Moving pallets, materials handling equipment safety, storing and removing items from backrooms, and proper use of ladders.

  • Stocking – Safe lifting techniques, opening boxes, building and securing displays, use of balers and compactors, and proper lockout/tagout procedures.

  • General Safety Tips – Proper use of personal protective equipment, child safety seatbelts in shopping carts, proper use of extension cords and fire/emergency procedures.

The video comes complete with an Instructor’s Guide and associate testing materials. To purchase “Being Smart! Being Safe!...An Orientation to Retail Store Safety,” ($50 retail/wholesaler members; $85 associate members; $100 nonmembers), please contact the FMI Store (202-220-0723, www.fmi.org/pub).