Quality BY JAMES M. DELPRINCE, PH.D., AAF, AIFD, PFCI CARE AND HANDLING 101: SAFETY PROTOCOLS
> Editor’s note: This is the third part of a series by James M. DelPrince, Ph.D., AAF, AIFD, PFCI, to help educate floral profes- sionals who handle flowers coming into and leaving the shop. Caring properly for flowers starts
with ensuring that those who handle them are working in safe conditions and are properly equipped. But too often, flo- rists don’t think about safety and what’s needed to ensure a safe environment in the workroom until someone is injured or product is damaged. Don’t let that happen. Make plans to keep employees safe from accidents in the retail floral shop, especially prior to the busy holiday season.
Setup for Success The processing area needs its own space away from design benches, doorways, customer service areas, and other high-traffic areas. Equip the processing area with storage for buckets, cleaning agents, postharvest chemicals, trash and recycling bins, and composting recep- tacles. Store materials off the floor. Safe and sturdy shelving can be a valuable investment and make the workroom a better place to be. Cut stems over a trash receptacle
such as a garbage can or box that will be discarded, rather than directly onto the floor. Damp stems and leaves on the floor not only look bad (and appear- ances matter in retail floristry), but they — along with boxes and wrapped floral products — are a hazard. Workers can easily slip or trip and fall in areas with multiple obstructions. Loose boxes and boxing straps are the worst culprits in causing accidents in which workers trip and fall.
Dress for Success Floral processors should dress for success — and safety. Dressing in oppo- sition to the work at hand and safety may suggest a lack of employee focus, knowledge, ability and resources. It also suggests to customers that the shop’s products may be substandard. Closed-toe shoes with sturdy treads will help prevent injury from falling tools
or other objects. Flip-flops and sandals do not provide protection and can hydro- plane on wet floors, causing injuries. Fasten long hair away from the face
and hands. Not only does this prevent accidents from hair getting caught or obscuring vision, but it also prevents the transfer of residues from processing chemicals to the body if the processor is frequently moving hair out of their way. Long pants made from durable fabric
will stand the tests of floral processing much better than dressy fabric. Aprons are also a great idea for durability and offer additional protection. They are manufactured in a variety of materials including canvas and denim and can display the shop’s brand via colors or logos. Shop owners should invest in aprons and launder them or make an agreement with employees to wash their aprons regularly and replace them when they become stained.
In shops with high-volume process-
ing and bucket sanitizing, more intensive protective clothing is helpful. Wholesale florists often wear waterproof boots and long lab coats that counteract water splash and cold temperatures. Rubber gloves to protect hands from frequent contact with cleaners and other chemi- cals is also recommended.
A Winning Workflow Keep a clear workflow between where flower shipments are received, processed and designed. This helps worker safety, and a well-organized, safe workspace will pay for itself over time by preventing employee injuries and property losses.
James M. DelPrince, Ph.D., AAF, AIFD, PFCI, is an associate extension professor at Mississippi State University.
56 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | November/December 2023 |
WWW.SAFNOW.ORG
SHUTTERSTOCK/ YEVHEN HOLOBORODKO
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