Customer safety is important for all businesses. Customers must have a safe experience while making a purchase or while waiting for a service to be completed. Many types of safety policies can be put in place to ensure that customers are kept safe during a business transaction.

Place Signs

An adequate amount of signs around the store or work zone will show the potential risks while shopping or waiting for a service. The signs should be placed in areas that are easily seen by people, such as next to doorways. For example, retail stores that have sliding glass entry and exit doors should have signs mentioning to customers that the doors are automatic and may close on them if the sensor doesn't detect movement. Service repair shops should have signs placed in the waiting room stating that customers are not permitted to enter the service garage due to heavy machinery that is always in motion. These are just two examples of how signs can prevent simple accidents from occurring.

Fix Damages Quickly

A policy that should always be in effect for all businesses is to fix damages as quickly as possible so that customers are not injured while shopping or waiting for a service. Damages including water leaks, faulty electrical outlets, broken shelves and loose flooring are just some examples. Employees must write down the workplace damage and notify a manager as quickly as possible. The manager must try to fix the damage or call a certified handyman who is qualified to fix whatever damage may need repair. If the damage is not fixed, a customer can get injured and cost the company money though injuries and lawsuits.

Notify and Assist Customers During an Emergency

Customers should be the first ones out of the store or service area during an emergency, such as a fire. During an emergency, all employees should notify and assist customers out of the store in a safe, timely fashion. The store or service area should be checked throughout to ensure that no customers were left behind. Signs around doorways should identify emergency exits.

Use Tools to Prevent Accidents

Customers naturally shop around in many retail stores or wait patiently in service departments. Employees should use safety tools provided by the company to indirectly protect the customer from an accident or acknowledge that a spill has occurred in an aisle or foyer. Ladders should never be left open unattended. Leaving a ladder open may tempt a shopper or child to climb the ladder. The ladders should be closed when not in use and placed securely to the shelf with rubber straps specifically designed to hold ladders vertically upright. Yellow or orange caution cones should inform customers of a spill on the floor, with the cones placed in the center of the spill until it can be mopped up. These two policies will keep customers safe while shopping or waiting.

Assist Customers With Large and Heavy Items

Customers can be injured simply by lifting an object that is large and/or heavy. Retailers that sell heavy and large items, such as furniture or cookware, must have employees offer assistance with these items. At times, at least two employees are needed to lift bulkier items, such as a five-piece outdoor furniture set. Have employees walk around the store offering assistance to customers before customers make the attempt to lift heavier items themselves. With good employee teamwork, customers can be assisted without having to strain themselves by lifting heavy items. Customers should also be given shopping carts and hand trucks. For example, if a customer is seen walking around with a cookware set, an employee should offer a shopping cart to prevent the customer from having to carry such a heavy item.