Risk Assessment for Seasonal shop Displays
Conducting risk assessments for seasonal displays is essential in retail environments. These evaluations enable the identification and mitigation of hazards associated with changes in store layout, increased customer traffic, and higher stock volumes. Seasonal displays often present distinct risks—such as fire safety concerns, structural stability issues, and potential trip hazards—that differ from routine operations. Additionally, it is important to consider that some displays may be interactive and specifically designed for children.
1. Purpose
- To identify, assess, and manage potential hazards associated with the installation, maintenance, and removal of seasonal retail displays.
- To help ensure a safe environment for staff, customers, and visitors during seasonal campaign periods.
- To support safe working practices for our client, Tempur UK, when seasonal displays are introduced or changed.
2. Hazards Identified
- Trip and slip hazards: Decorations, cables, packaging, or display materials may obstruct walkways or create uneven surfaces.
- Fire risks: Electrical decorations, lighting, or flammable materials may increase fire risk if not correctly installed or monitored.
- Manual handling injuries: Staff may be required to lift, carry, or assemble heavy, bulky, or awkward display items.
- Falling objects: Displays, signage, or decorations placed at height may fall if not properly secured.
- Blocked emergency exits: Seasonal displays or promotional materials may restrict access to fire exits, escape routes, alarms, or emergency equipment.
- Crowd management concerns: Seasonal promotions may increase customer footfall, creating congestion around displays and key walkways.
- Child interaction risks: Interactive displays designed to attract children may require additional checks for stability, small parts, sharp edges, or entrapment hazards.
3. Risk Control Measures
- Position displays so that walkways, customer routes, and staff working areas remain clear and accessible.
- Use flame-retardant display materials where appropriate and ensure all electrical decorations are suitable, in good condition, and PAT tested where required.
- Provide staff with suitable manual handling guidance before moving or assembling display items.
- Secure overhead or freestanding displays correctly and complete regular checks to confirm stability.
- Keep fire exits, escape routes, fire alarm call points, extinguishers, and emergency lighting clear at all times.
- Monitor customer flow during busy trading periods and use signage, barriers, or repositioning where necessary to reduce congestion.
- Check interactive or child-facing displays regularly to ensure they remain secure, clean, and free from sharp edges, loose parts, or other hazards.
4. Monitoring and Review
- Carry out daily visual inspections of seasonal displays, particularly before opening and during peak trading periods.
- Record and report any incidents, defects, hazards, or near misses in line with site procedures.
- Review and update the risk assessment whenever display layouts, materials, electrical items, or customer interaction points change.
- Complete a seasonal review to confirm whether additional controls are required for future campaigns.
5. Responsibilities
- Store Manager: Oversees the safe implementation of seasonal displays, confirms staff are briefed, and ensures agreed control measures are followed.
- Staff Members: Follow safe working procedures, keep display areas tidy, and report hazards, damage, or concerns immediately.
- Health and Safety Officer: Reviews the risk assessment, provides guidance where required, and completes periodic checks or audits.
6. Emergency Procedures
- Ensure all staff are familiar with fire evacuation routes, assembly points, and first-aid locations.
- Confirm that emergency lighting, alarms, call points, extinguishers, and escape routes are not obstructed by seasonal displays.
- Remove or reposition any display immediately if it creates an emergency access or evacuation concern.
This risk assessment should be documented, communicated to all relevant staff, and reviewed each season to reflect any changes in display design, materials, customer interaction, or store layout.
Here at Vital Workplace Training we can do Risk Assessment within our training courses, for more information please contact us. You can email us info@vitalworkplacetraining.com or check out our website.
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