Investigating the Occupational Challenges of Corner Store Workers Operating in Baltimore City Food Deserts

Abstract

A qualitative pilot study was conducted in Baltimore City with the aim of documenting specific occupational safety challenges of small-scale urban retailers, or “corner store” owners. Semistructured interviews with a small sample (n = 4) revealed significant challenges for owners and workers, and revealed potential areas for occupational health intervention.

Major cities have adopted healthy corner store initiatives in recent years to alleviate food deserts, combat the obesity epidemic, and improve nutritional outcomes. These programs provide training, technical assistance, and other supports to store owners to boost sales of healthy foods and achieve their business goals. Occupational challenges experienced by corner store workers are another facet of these programs.

Little occupational health and safety data specific to corner store workers has been gathered. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006), wholesale retail trade workers experience higher occupational risk than average workers. Occupational injury and illness rates for grocery-related workers (7.0/100) are nearly double the national average for all service-providing industries (3.9/100). In 2006, occupational fatality rates in the wholesale retail trade sectors were second highest among convenience store workers (6.1/100,000; Anderson, Schulte, Sestito, Linn, & Nguyen, 2010). To elucidate occupational challenges encountered by corner store workers, a qualitative pilot study was conducted among Baltimore City corner store owners.

The Baltimore City Health Department (2016) administers the Baltimarket Healthy Stores program, an initiative for Baltimore City store owners and communities to improve the supply of and demand for healthy foods. A qualitative interview was developed for store owners who participated in the first year of the Baltimarket Healthy Stores Program (n = 4). Interview topics included health and safety as well as the impact of crime on these businesses. The 19-question interviews took place in each owner’s store, were recorded with permission, and were analyzed in the aggregate. Interviews were considered public health practice by the Johns Hopkins University Institutional Review Board.

Pilot study findings showed that corner store owners experience significant occupational risks while conducting business in resource-poor areas of Baltimore City. The store owners reported many occupational health challenges, most notably workplace safety and work-related stress hazards. Ergonomic hazards were also identified from working in small spaces, moving stock, and performing nondifferentiated work tasks. Interviewees reported injuries including back pain and numbness.

Three store owners reported increased frequency and severity of violent crime within the past year, especially following the unrest in Baltimore City in April 2015 and ensuing spikes in violent crime. Two interviewees reported violent crimes inside their stores with resulting employee injuries. Owners considered coping with criminal activity an expected and challenging part of their jobs. Some owners expressed hesitance in calling law enforcement following incidents due to low perceived effectiveness of police intervention and fear of retribution by perpetrators. These responses suggest that crime could negatively affect store owners’ mental health.

Store owners cited advantages and challenges from participating in the Healthy Stores program. The most cited program benefits were increasing sales and teaching both customers and store owners how to choose healthy products.

In summary, this pilot study suggests corner store workers experience significant work-related hazards while conducting business in resource-deprived areas of Baltimore City. Occupational health professionals have the expertise necessary to positively impact occupational health and safety outcomes in this vulnerable worker population. Corner stores could represent an interesting venue in which to formulate safety interventions specific to these workers. Stores are potentially powerful sites for health programming and community empowerment. Adding occupational safety interventions to public health programs could expand the positive impact of these programs and protect workers whose efforts are key to program success.