the buzz log

A typical shopping trip doesn't result in broken bones and injuries. No need for strict safety measures 364 days a year. But on Black Friday? That's when an ounce of prevention can save you a pound of flesh at the emergency room.

After last year's tragic death during a shopping stampede at a Wal-Mart, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued some safety tips for getting through Black Friday in one piece. The guidelines are aimed at retailers responsible for providing their employees with a safe working environment. That can be a tall order on a day when thousands of sleep-deprived shoppers are desperate to grab rare deals.

So what are the guidelines? The OSHA recommends retailers have security personnel or police officers on site, but that's not all. Stores expecting big crowds should use barricades, make sure local emergency services are aware of the event, use bullhorns to address the crowd, and be aware of the building's maximum occupancy. This year, expect more stores to let shoppers in at a slow and steady pace rather than all at once.

Web searches on "black friday safety" have climbed steadily over the past week. There are also numerous articles and blog posts on the risks shoppers and employees face on Black Friday. MSNBC reports that Wal-Mart for one has implemented many changes. Hopefully all retailers can keep their employees and shoppers safe and out of the ER.

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