Many surveys have shown that the first year of employment is an especially dangerous one. In fact, EHS Today reported earlier this year on a survey that concluded that 35% of workplace injuries occurred during an employee’s first year on the job. And that trend has been in effect for the past few years in that particular survey.
A report released on Dec. 9, 2024 Retail & Wholesale Injury Report from Sentry, analyzed over 22,000 of its injury claims and found a similar injury rate, 38%, for retail workers. And this time of year, where between 400,000 and 500,000 seasonal workers are employed, according to the National Retail Federation, is of particular concern for retail workers.
"The holiday season is a critical time for retailers, but it also highlights the safety risks associated with onboarding new workers," said Dan Grant, director of safety services at Sentry, in a statement. "Short-term hires often lack the job-specific training and support needed to prevent injuries. Our data is clear: prioritizing ongoing safety mentorship from day one can help reduce injuries across the industry."
To put this first year number in perspective, for employees who have been at the company from one to five years the injury rate goes down to 28%. And in the five-to-ten-year category it’s 11%.
These injuries account for 70 days of missed work both in retail and wholesale sectors.
"Retail workers face constant physical demands, from stocking shelves to lifting heavy items in the stockroom or warehouse," explained Grant. "Behind the scenes, employees are constantly lifting, bending and reaching to keep up with customer needs. These repetitive tasks can lead to significant injuries. Our goal is to raise awareness of these risks and promote safer working alternatives for all employees while supporting and maintaining critical production goals."
Causes/Types of Injuries
Looking at age, the survey found that over 60% of injuries occurred in workers who were under 30. From ages 31-40 that number was 20% and from 41-20 it was 26%. However, when the age was 50-65 the rate went back up to 60%.
Causes of Injuries
- Strain by lifting – 11%.
- Stuck by falling/flying object – 8%.
- Slip from same level – 7%.
- Object lifting/handling – 6%.
- Stuck by object lifted – 6%.
Types of Injuries
- Strain – 27%
- Contusion – 18%
- Laceration – 15%
- Sprain – 6%
- Multiple Injuries – 5%
- Fracture – 4%
Body Part Injured
- Fingers –11%
- Multiple body parts 11%
- Lower back area – 19%
- Knee—7%
- Shoulder – 6%
