Summer heat stretches longer every year, and the demands on our members grow right along with it. Whether you work in a retail food store, a drug store, a wholesale plant, health care facilities or any workplace our Union represents, safety is a shared responsibility. It protects our health, our families, and our future.
Equipment and facility safety: Speak up early
In every part of our industry, from retail food to drug stores to wholesale plants, we rely on equipment to be properly serviced and maintained. Pallet jacks, slicers, conveyors, compactors, refrigeration units, and automation tools all play a role in daily operations. When any device is worn down, malfunctioning, or overdue for service, it becomes a hazard.
If you see something that does not look right, keep your managers informed. Immediate communication prevents small issues from becoming dangerous ones. When concerns are long term, recurring, or not being addressed, they should be shared right away with your District Union Representatives. They are your advocates and your direct line to ensuring problems are corrected.
Chemical safety: Awareness protects everyone
Our workplaces use a wide range of chemicals, from sanitizers and cleaning agents in retail food and drug stores to industrial chemicals in wholesale plants. These materials must be labeled, stored, and handled correctly. If anything seems off, report it. Your vigilance is one of the strongest safety systems we have.
Heat safety: Hydration and rest are essential
Summer heat lasts longer than ever, and the risks are real across all workplaces. Whether you are stocking frozen foods, working in a bakery, or gathering carts in a parking lot that feels hotter than asphalt should ever be, hydration is essential.
Drink water throughout your shift. Take breaks even when you feel fine. Watch for signs of overheating such as dizziness, headache, fatigue or nausea. Look out for coworkers who may be pushing themselves too hard. Heat safety is part of protecting one another.
Retail food and drug workplaces: Unique risks, shared responsibility
Our retail food and drug members face a wide range of daily hazards:
- Backroom safety where stacked product can shift unexpectedly
- Wet floors from refrigeration leaks or customer spills
- Pharmacy environments where concentration is critical and interruptions can create risk
- Front end areas where lifting, bending and repetitive motion take a toll
- Parking lots where heat, traffic and cart collection combine into a challenging environment
Each area requires attention, communication, and a willingness to slow down when something feels unsafe.
Food processing and winery workplaces: Additional hazards to watch
Members in food processing and winery environments face unique challenges every day. Food processing safety involves fast moving production lines, sharp cutting tools, heavy machinery and cold or humid conditions which can affect both equipment and workers. Winery operations include barrel handling, press equipment, bottling lines, and chemical exposure from cleaning agents used in fermentation areas. Slippery floors, confined spaces, and repetitive motion can create serious risks if not addressed promptly. Keep managers informed when you see concerns and share long term issues with your District Union Representatives.
A culture of safety: Built by all of us
Safety is not just a checklist. It is a culture built when members speak up, when management listens and when concerns are addressed promptly. Your Union continues to hold employers accountable for maintaining safe workplaces, but every member plays a role in creating an environment where safety is respected and practiced.
If you encounter unsafe conditions or feel your concerns are not being addressed, reach out to your District Union Representatives.
Our commitment
This summer and every season, let us stay alert, stay hydrated and stay safe. When we look out for one another, we strengthen our workplaces, our families, and our Union.
