Canada: Alberta to review ‘work alone’ policy on c-store night workers
Alberta Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley announced that the government will review the current legislation governing employees who work alone, in the wake of the two separate gun robberies that took the lives of two Mac’s convenience store clerks early Friday, reported the Edmonton Journal.
Ganley welcomes input from various stakeholders to improve the policy on workers’ protection.
“These incidents are both tragic and disturbing. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. Our government believes every worker should come home safe at the end of the day, regardless of when they work or what work they do.”
In Alberta, it is mandated by law that night-shift workers who work alone are provided with a phone or two-way radio and for their employers to be in regular contact.
However, no other specific regulations for late-night workers are listed on the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Code.
The Alberta Federation of Labour said the government has the responsibility to act and should look into policies implemented at British Columbia (BC).
BC laws require more than one worker on duty, a time-lock safe, violence prevention program, and a video surveillance. It also requires night-shifters to be at least 19 years old and carries a personal emergency transmitter, monitored by the employer or a security company, while on duty. If working alone, the employee should work behind a protected barrier.
Andrew Klukas, president of the Western Convenience Store Association, would opt for the rules implemented in Saskatchewan, which focus on best practices and are “less prescriptive” than BC’s.
