OSHA issues Thanksgiving safety recommendations for retail workers

With retailers gearing up for Black Friday sales -- and some planning to get a jump on sales by opening on Thanksgiving day -- the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is asking employers to keep retail workers safe as shoppers try to take advantage of doorbuster deals.

OSHA said in a statement earlier this month that it sent letters to major retailers asking them to implement crowd management safety guidelines. That advice includes explaining approach and entrance procedures to shoppers waiting to enter the the store, preventing additional customer from entering when a store has reached maximum occupancy and having trained security personnel or police officers at retail locations.

OSHA said it hopes its guidelines will help prevent "tragic consequences" during the Thanksgiving weekend shopping blitz, such as the 2008 trampling death of a retail worker.

“During the hectic shopping season, retail workers should not be put at risk of injury or death,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, in a statement.

Here's hoping that retail workers everywhere, and all of you, stay safe this holiday weekend.