Health, Safety, Hygiene and Workplace Practices
This domain tests daily practices that prevent illness, injury and legal liability in a store, especially where food is handled.
Personal and food hygiene
Clean uniform, short nails, washed hands, hair covered, no loose jewellery near food, and reporting illness rather than handling food. FSSAI's hygiene schedule requires food businesses to maintain a cleaning schedule, pest control, safe water, separate handling of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, and trained food handlers. Store chilled and frozen items at the required temperature, follow FEFO, and never refreeze thawed stock.
Store safety
Keep aisles clear, clean spills immediately with a wet-floor sign, never climb shelves - use a step ladder - and lift by bending the knees, keeping the load close. Check plugs, cables and equipment; report damaged fittings. Know the fire triangle (fuel, heat, oxygen), the extinguisher classes and the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze, Sweep. Know the evacuation route and assembly point.
Emergency response
Emergency numbers: 112 (all services), 101 (fire), 108 (ambulance). Keep a stocked first-aid box, an incident register, and report every injury however minor.
Worked example
A bottle of oil breaks in aisle 3. Reasoning and steps: stop customers entering the area, place a wet-floor sign and a barrier, use the correct absorbent and cleaning equipment, dry the floor fully, remove the sign only when the surface is safe, dispose of the waste per the store's waste segregation rule, and record the incident so the risk is reviewed.
Legal and workplace practices
POSH Act, 2013 requires an Internal Committee against sexual harassment. Child labour is prohibited; adolescents may work only in permitted, non-hazardous roles within the hours allowed. Shops and Establishments rules govern opening hours, weekly off and working conditions.
Traps that cost marks
Mixing cleaning chemicals; blocking fire exits with stock; ignoring a minor incident without a register entry; and lifting heavy cartons with a bent back.