1. Equipment. Most store equipment is provided by vendors or distributors and may be serviced by those vendors and distributors directly. We also highly recommend purchasing technical support for your POS Terminal. Equipment items that may require regular inspection and periodic maintenance to help avoid service or repair problems are listed as follows:
a. Ice machine
b. Coffee brewing machines
c. Tea brewing machines
d. Lottery machine
e. Fountain (soda) dispenser
f. POS Terminal
(1) Printer paper
g. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems
h. Electronic Message Center (EMC)
i. Humidifiers (for cigar humidors)
j. Refrigerated cases or Freezer units
2. Store Appearance. On a daily basis be sure to check:
a. Light bulbs
b. Floors
c. Baseboards
d. Tiles
e. Ceiling tiles
f. Countertops
g. Walls
h. Drains
i. Vents
j. Glass doors and casework
k. Refer to Q & A Report Form in Appendix “A” for a list of all items subject to inspection at you store.
3. Safety.
a. Spills. Spills must be cleaned up immediately, using a mop if it occurs on the floor or a towel if it occurs on a counter. You have a legal and business obligation to periodically check your store premises for spills or other hazards, which could pose personal safety problems to staff or customers.
(1) Wet Floor Sign. Once mopped, it is important to post a “Wet Floor” sign over the area. This is critical for legal liability reasons. While there are many different signs available, you should choose a style that is OSHA approved.
b. Poor Weather. If severe weather occurs overnight, your landlord’s management or the security department should be contacted to determine if the building or site will be open for business. This information should be forwarded to employees in a timely manner. If inclement weather occurs after the store is already open, the manager needs to contact your landlord’s management and decide whether or not to keep the store open.
c. Shoes. All employees should wear closed-toe shoes with a supportive rubber sole. While comfort is a primary consideration, so is protection of employees’ feet and the need to minimize slips and falls. Sneakers are acceptable.
d. Lifting. Employees should be prepared to lift up to fifty (50) pounds. Proper lifting techniques should be taught and enforced:
(1) Lift with the legs, not the back.
(2) A sign should be posted in an “employee viewable” area, which shows proper lifting technique.
e. Floor Pads. Floor pads or mats should be placed in front of all fountain machines – if permitted by the landlord – to prevent slipping if spills occur.
f. Coffee Pots – Caution: Because of high temperatures, coffee makers should be handled with extreme care. Coffee grounds often clog the hopper, which can cause hot water to unexpectedly accumulate in the hopper. When an employee removes the hopper burns may occur if care is not exercised. Remember that one can become scalded by steam as well as water.
g. Ladders. Employees should exercise care when utilizing ladders, stools, and steps so they do not fall.
(1) The manufacturer’s warning labels on ladders should not be removed and employees should be encouraged to read them.
(2) Only OSHA approved ladders should be in use at the store.