Health, Safety and Security in Retail
This section tests legal duties, risk assessment, common retail hazards and the security routines that protect staff, customers and cash.
Legal framework
Under Malta's Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act and its subsidiary regulations, employers must assess risks, provide a safe workplace, information, training and supervision, while employees must follow safe systems of work, use PPE and report hazards. Accidents and dangerous occurrences are recorded and, where required, reported to the Authority. Food handlers must follow HACCP-based food hygiene rules.
Hazards and controls
- Slips, trips and falls - clean spills immediately, use wet-floor signs, keep aisles and fire exits clear.
- Manual handling - assess the load, use a trolley or team lift, bend the knees, keep the load close, never twist while lifting.
- Electrical - no damaged leads, no daisy-chained adapters, PAT-style checks.
- Fire - know extinguisher types, evacuation routes, the assembly point and fire-door rules.
- Chemicals - store separately, keep Safety Data Sheets, use PPE.
- Security - deter with layout, mirrors, EAS tags and CCTV (operated within data protection rules); never confront a shoplifter; during a robbery comply, do not chase, note details and call the police.
Worked example
A delivery of 20 kg boxes must go to the top shelf. Reasoning: the hazard is musculoskeletal injury; the hierarchy of control prefers eliminating the lift (ask for shelf-ready delivery), then engineering controls (trolley, step, team lift), then safe technique. Climbing and lifting alone is the weakest answer.
Traps that cost marks
Leaving stock in front of a fire exit; failing to report a near miss; confronting a thief; using water on an electrical fire; and treating a risk assessment as paperwork rather than a live control plan.