White glove treatment (con't)
“It’s not that it’s a policy but we have gloves available for employees for their comfort,” spokeswoman Sarah Stover said.FreshCo store management provides insulated gloves for staff working with frozen foods and dairy products “so that they’re not uncomfortable,” Stover said. She said latex gloves are also provided to staff in the produce department because “produce can be constantly cool and wet.” Stover said gloves are also offered to employees simply if they want to wear them when stocking grocery shelves. On a recent visit to the LaSalle store it appeared all the floor staff was wearing gloves. “It’s at the option of the employee,” Stover added. “It can be for comfort or if they just want to keep their hands clean.” Connie Walls, a representative of the Windsor Occupational Health Information Service, said it was “good to know” that a grocery chain was implementing this kind of protection. She said the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has workplace guidelines for grocery workers. The agency says staff should wear thermal gloves when stocking frozen foods. “Cold temperatures can reduce circulation, causing stress on the hands,” it says. “If the worker is pricing frozen foods, they should use a glove with textured fingertips to wipe frost from the food.” Walls aid FreshCo “is certainly showing due diligence in giving workers this option. Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.” “Hopefully,” she added, “the other stores are doing the same with their workers.” WindsorOntarioNews.com |
