Safety for Late-Night Retail Workers

OSHA recently updated its guidance document “Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments”.  This document addresses issues causing late night retail workers to be killed on the job.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 167 retail trade workers were killed in 2007. Nearly half of these were employed in late-night establishments such as gasoline stations, liquor and convenience stores. Of these worker deaths, 39 killed were convenience store employees, 32 worked at gasoline stations and 7 worked at liquor stores.

Over the past 10 years, the number of retail workers who died as a result to workplace violence has declined: 1998-286 deaths to 2007-167 deaths.