Nova Scotia C-stores Protected by Legislation
TRURO, Nova Scotia -- Convenience store associates and others in high risk positions may get a tool to reduce the chance of violence while on the job, through new legislation being introduced in the province, the Truro Daily News reported.
The legislation, which covers retail stores, gas stations and taxis, would allow business owners to offer workers more protection against being robbed or attacked, the report stated.
The legislation includes three codes of practice, which were developed by the Department of Environment and Labor after consulting the retail, retail gas and taxi industries, according to the report. Each code details preventive measures that are tailored to common risks in each industry, then report stated.
"Adoption of these codes of practice is optional," Mark Parent, minister of environment and labor, told the Daily News. "However, all businesses identified in the regulations must either adopt a code of practice or develop their own prevention plan to address their assessed risk."
By adopting an appropriate code of practice, businesses will comply with new occupational health and safety regulations taking effect April 1, the newspaper reported.
"It has been a very positive experience to work with the Department of Environment and Labor, and to develop what we feel are realistic and functional guidelines for our industry," Graham Conrad, executive director of the Retail Gasoline Dealers Association of Nova Scotia, told the paper.
Codes of practice will be distributed by occupational health and safety officers, and can be obtained by calling (800) 9-LABOUR or by visiting www.gov.ns.ca/enla.
The legislation, which covers retail stores, gas stations and taxis, would allow business owners to offer workers more protection against being robbed or attacked, the report stated.
The legislation includes three codes of practice, which were developed by the Department of Environment and Labor after consulting the retail, retail gas and taxi industries, according to the report. Each code details preventive measures that are tailored to common risks in each industry, then report stated.
"Adoption of these codes of practice is optional," Mark Parent, minister of environment and labor, told the Daily News. "However, all businesses identified in the regulations must either adopt a code of practice or develop their own prevention plan to address their assessed risk."
By adopting an appropriate code of practice, businesses will comply with new occupational health and safety regulations taking effect April 1, the newspaper reported.
"It has been a very positive experience to work with the Department of Environment and Labor, and to develop what we feel are realistic and functional guidelines for our industry," Graham Conrad, executive director of the Retail Gasoline Dealers Association of Nova Scotia, told the paper.
Codes of practice will be distributed by occupational health and safety officers, and can be obtained by calling (800) 9-LABOUR or by visiting www.gov.ns.ca/enla.