RETAIL HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST Retail Health and Safety is the practice of identifying, managing, and controlling workplace hazards in store environments to protect employees and customers from harm. A Retail Health and Safety Checklist is a structured inspection tool that supports this practice. It helps store managers systematically verify that safety controls are in place, hazards are logged, and compliance obligations under frameworks like ISO 45001 are being met. Retail environments present a distinct mix of hazards due to constant public access, manual handling tasks, and high staff turnover. 01 RETAIL HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST This checklist is designed for use in: Supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience outlets Specialty retailers (electronics, cosmetics, hardware, chemical solvents, cleaning supplies, apparel) Department stores and shopping centre tenancies Warehouse-attached or stockroom-heavy retail operations This Template Is Suitable For: Retail store managers and assistant managers Business owners managing retail premises or area managers overseeing multiple store locations WHS/EHS officers in retail chains or franchises Loss prevention and compliance teams HR and onboarding teams responsible for staff safety induction Note: The templates/guides in our Content Library were created by the SDS Manager Team to help you manage site operations effectively. They are provided as reference tools and should be tailored to match your specific project needs, company policies, and industry standards. SDS Manager does not guarantee that these templates meet legal, regulatory, or contractual requirements. Users are responsible for reviewing and adapting each template to ensure compliance with their operational and legal obligations. A retail health and safety checklist helps store managers and safety teams run a safer, more compliant operation by: Identifying slip, trip, and fall hazards before they cause injuries Protecting employees from manual handling injuries, workplace violence, and equipment hazards Reducing liability exposure and the cost of workplace incidents in compliance with local OHS laws Helping new staff understand safety expectations from day one Creating a documented audit trail for regulatory inspections Building customer trust through a visibly safe and well-maintained store environment 02 RETAIL HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST 1. STORE EXTERIOR AND ENTRANCE Yes No Verification Item Car park and footpaths are free from potholes, uneven surfaces, and tripping hazards Status Notes / Action Required Yes No Exterior lighting is fully functional at all entrances and walkways Yes No Entrance doors operate freely and are not obstructed Yes No Entrance matting is flat, secured, and free of curled or damaged edges Yes No Exterior walkways are clear of ice, standing water, and debris Yes No Ramps and accessible entry points are in good condition and unobstructed Yes No Adequate directional and safety signage is in place at the store exterior Yes No Shopping trolley or basket return areas are positioned and maintained safely 03 2. SALES FLOOR AND AISLES Yes No Verification Item All aisles are free from obstructions, spills, and loose items Status Notes / Action Required Yes No Aisle widths meet minimum clearance requirements for safe movement Yes No Floor surfaces are undamaged, dry, and free of raised edges Yes No Wet floor signs are available and deployed whenever spills or cleaning occur Yes No Shelving units are stable, secured, and within their rated load limits Yes No Heavy items are stocked at waist height or below Yes No Display fixtures and promotional stands are stable and pose no tip-over risk Yes No Broken glass, sharp packaging, and protruding objects have been removed from display areas Yes No Walkways and sightlines are not blocked by signage or product labels Yes No Lighting levels are adequate across all sales floor areas