Codes of Practice Available

Retail stores, gas stations, and taxi owners have a new tool to help them protect their workers from violence on the job.

Three codes of practice were developed by the Department of Environment and Labour, in consultation with the retail, retail gas, and taxi industries. Each details preventive measures, tailored to the common risks of each sector, that these businesses can implement to prevent violence at work.

"Adoption of these codes of practice is optional," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "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."

Adopting the appropriate code of practice helps businesses comply with new occupational health and safety regulations that take effect April 1.

"It is important for all taxi drivers to know that the regulations are there and that using the code of practice is one way to follow them," said Darrell Downey, president of the Halifax Taxi Drivers Association.

"It has been a very positive experience to work with Department of Environment and Labour and to develop what we feel are realistic and functional guidelines for our Industry," said Graham Conrad, executive director of the Retail Gasoline Dealers Association of Nova Scotia.

The codes of practice will be distributed by occupational health and safety officers, or can be obtained by calling 1-800-9-LABOUR or at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ .