The friend of a gas station worker who was killed while at work is pushing for new legislation in Saskatchewan that will protect lone workers from potential violence and other hazards. His petition is getting traction and winning the support of many, including the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
A law proposed after a gas station employee was killed in Yorkton, Sask., has gained overwhelming support from attendees of an occupational health and safety conference in Regina.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour says a majority of the nearly 200 delegates at the conference signed petitions in support of the proposed legislation, dubbed "Jimmy's Law."
The law would require retail employers to ensure at least two employees work together between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Alternatively, employers would be required to provide protective barriers for lone workers.
Yorkton resident Aaron Nagy launched a petition calling for the law.
His friend, Jimmy Wiebe, was killed while working alone at the Circle K Shell in Yorkton in June.
"Unfortunately, like so many people who work alone, Jimmy Wiebe was left vulnerable to violence that could have been easily prevented," Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president Larry Hubich said in a release.
"It's time for Saskatchewan to adopt legislation similar to that in British Columbia, which protects people that work alone with the public."
B.C. passed "Grant's Law" in response to the death of a gas station employee in Maple Ridge who was dragged by a vehicle while trying to stop a gas-and-run theft.
However, the Western Convenience Store Association says there's no evidence that two employees working together are safer than one.
A law proposed after a gas station employee was killed in Yorkton, Sask., has gained overwhelming support from attendees of an occupational health and safety conference in Regina.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour says a majority of the nearly 200 delegates at the conference signed petitions in support of the proposed legislation, dubbed "Jimmy's Law."
The law would require retail employers to ensure at least two employees work together between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Alternatively, employers would be required to provide protective barriers for lone workers.
Yorkton resident Aaron Nagy launched a petition calling for the law.
His friend, Jimmy Wiebe, was killed while working alone at the Circle K Shell in Yorkton in June.
"Unfortunately, like so many people who work alone, Jimmy Wiebe was left vulnerable to violence that could have been easily prevented," Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president Larry Hubich said in a release.
"It's time for Saskatchewan to adopt legislation similar to that in British Columbia, which protects people that work alone with the public."
B.C. passed "Grant's Law" in response to the death of a gas station employee in Maple Ridge who was dragged by a vehicle while trying to stop a gas-and-run theft.
However, the Western Convenience Store Association says there's no evidence that two employees working together are safer than one.
