Stupid is as stupid does
-Forrest Gump
Last week the provincial Liberal government decided to gut Grant’s Law.
Grant’s Law was enacted following the death of gas-station attendant Grant DePatie, thanks to some hard lobbying by his parents Doug and Corrine DePatie.
Grant was 24 when he died trying to prevent a person from driving off without paying for their gas in 2005.
Under the purview of WorkSafe B.C., Grant’s Law requires pre-payment of all gasoline purchases. Also, gas stations and convenience stores must have two employees on duty between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Alternatively, businesses could have just one employee on duty on the overnight shift, if they installed protective barriers between the employee and the customers.
Last week, WorkSafe B.C. announced they were softening the regulations, eliminating the need for the barrier and having two staff on duty during graveyard shifts.
In what can only be described as one of the dumbest things any government agency has ever done, WorkSafe B.C., said it would however require gas stations and convenience stores to install good lighting, video cameras and a panic button.
I don’t know about you, but those three requirments, at least for me, do form the safety trifecta.
I can’t tell you how many times a video camera has prevented a robbery as well as prevented someone from getting shot.
Good lighting.
Thank only makes good sense if you are going to rely on video cameras to protect your employees. I’m sure the law enforcement agencies are breathing a sigh of relief now - at long last they will have outstanding video footage of people wearing masks while committing crimes.
A panic button!
Disappointed I didn’t think of that one, really?
In the end the sad truth is these measures are less expensive than replacing an employee who’s been threatened, hurt or killed by a customer.
I’m expecting another announcement from the government proclaiming the establishment of the WorkCheap B.C. department.
If you’ve got dumb ideas, they want you.
- Percy N. Hébert/Interior News