OSHA recently updated its guidance document Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments that 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.

“The number of retail workers who died as a result of workplace violence has declined over the past 10 years - from 286 in 1998 to 167 in 2007. This decline is encouraging, but not good enough,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “Workers should not go to work fearing they won’t live through the day.”

The violence prevention information presented in this document builds on OSHA’s Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments, published in 1998. The updated Recommendations identify risk factors and describe feasible solutions. Although not exhaustive, these workplace violence guidelines include policy recommendations and practical corrective methods to help prevent and mitigate the effects of workplace violence in late-night retail establishments.