OSHA Issues Guidelines for Crowd Control at Retail Sales Events 

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidelines for retailers to protect workers during major retail sales events. A fact sheet was included with the guidelines and provides employers with recommendations to address crowd control plans as the holiday season arrives.

Some of the recommendations included:

• Do not allow employees to restrict entrances, and do not block or lock exit doors.
• Keep first aid kits and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available, and have personnel trained in using those devices.
• Where large crowds are expected, include trained security staff, crowd management personnel or police offices on site.
• Contact local fire and police agencies to determine if the event site meets all public safety requirements, and ensures that all permits and licenses are obtained and that local emergency services, including local police, fire department, and hospital, are aware of the event.
• When the store reaches maximum occupancy, do not allow additional customers to enter until the occupancy level drops.

For more information, please contact Amber Landis, manager of government affairs, at amber.landis@rila.org, or Casey Chroust, executive vice president of retail operations, at casey.chroust@rila.org.