New rules to make late-night shifts at B.C. gas stations safer

New rules announced Thursday will make working the graveyard shift at gas stations and convenience stores safer in British Columbia.

WorkSafeBC's board of directors approved the new regulations aimed at lowering potential for violence and injury facing people who work alone, particularly those in late-night shifts, WorkSafeBC said in a news release.

Under the new rules, effective Feb. 1, 2008, motorists filling up their cars between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. will have to pay for gas in advance. Employers also must prevent physical access to the worker by a locked door or barrier, or schedule more than one worker during late-night hours.

The changes follow hearings by WorkSafeBC, the B.C. agency responsible for worker safety,after the death of gas station attendant Grant De Patie in March 2005. He was dragged to death under a car when he tried to stop a driver from leaving the station without paying in Maple Ridge.

Grant's father, Doug De Patie, said the new regulations are a tribute to his son while B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair called them the best in North America.

Roberta Ellis, WorkSafeBC vice-president of policy, investigations and review, said the DePatie family has been courageous and tireless in their efforts to raise awareness of the dangers facing people who work alone late at night.

"We have all been moved by their commitment to protecting workers who may be at risk of violence due to their location and hours of work," she said.

The provincial government announced last October that it would bring in a regulation to that effect. WorkSafeBC then held a series of public consultations into the proposal.

If a worker is assigned to work alone and there is any risk of harm the employer must develop and implement a written procedure to ensure the worker's safety in handling money, WorkSafeBC said.

"These amendments make a strong statement about the value that the community places on all workers, especially those who are vulnerable to acts of violence," Ellis said.

"Without their support, this regulation would not be here today," Sinclair said.

Sinclair said he hopes the new rules will set a precedent that other health and safety agencies across North America will follow.