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Working Alone/ Violence Prevention Strategy — Gas Station Enforcement and Compliance Initiative
As part of an overall strategy to address the unique risks that workers face when they work alone or in isolation, and in response to the tragic 2005 death of a gas station attendant (see related news story), WorkSafeBC has recently completed an enforcement initiative targeted at the gas station industry.
While this initiative is an important response to a public concern about worker safety, it's important to note that gas stations are not typically high risk workplaces. Since 1982 there have been two cases of worker fatalities in this industry, both of which involved criminal acts of violence. In addition to the young worker fatality in 2005, a gunshot wound during a robbery killed a worker in 1990.
Regardless, last year's death of a young worker has been a wake-up call for all employers to ensure that appropriate procedures, training, and safety measures are in place to protect workers who work alone or are at risk of violence, whether late at night or in the daytime. There is also a concern that the risk in this industry is on the rise, as many gas stations are increasing their hours of business to 24 hour operations. Another issue of concern is that it is estimated that up to 40% of workers in this industry are young workers.
Over a three-month period from April to June 2006, WorkSafeBC safety officers conducted 366 random inspections of gas stations across the province. The pilot phase of this initiative found significant levels of non-compliance with safety regulations, with virtually every inspection resulting in the documentation of violations and the issuance of orders.
“Results so far have reinforced the importance of educating employers and workers in this industry,” said Betty Pirs, Executive Director of Prevention Services for WorkSafeBC. “It is clear that these employers do not have a complete understanding of their legal responsibilities to protect workers who are working alone and/or who may be susceptible to acts of violence in their workplace.”
Most of the worksites inspected by WorkSafeBC have fallen short on necessary site-specific procedures, and many employers were found to be relying solely on generic policy and procedures supplied by the oil company head offices. The inspections also found that very little, if any documentation existed to demonstrate that worker instruction, orientation, and supervision had been satisfactorily performed to meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
However, enforcement is only part of this initiative. WorkSafeBC safety officers are also working with employers in this sector to develop appropriate site-specific procedures and to increase understanding and awareness of responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act. WorkSafeBC safety officers will also be conducting follow-up inspections and reviewing compliance plans submitted by non-compliant employers.
Resources:
- Handbook for Employers: Working Alone, Late Night Retail, and Prepayment of Fuel (PDF 568k)
- Preventing Violence, Robbery, and Theft: A Guide for Retail Owners, Managers and Workers (PDF 1mb)
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