Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety has announced the enactment of a new regulatory amendment aimed at enhancing the protection of late night retail workers in Saskatchewan. The new law comes into force on January 1st, 2013, and compels those operating late night retail establishments to conduct a hazard assessment and implement a range of specific crime prevention measures to protect late night retail workers.

The primary safety and security measures contained within the new law are reproduced below with some practical considerations for employers wishing to synthesize regulatory compliance and crime prevention best practice:

1. Safe Cash Handling Procedures

a. Employers are required to develop written cash handling procedures with a primary objective of limiting the amount of money accessible to workers. Safe cash handling procedures are a key component in reducing the reward for potential criminals. Such procedures typically include, in part:

• limiting the amount of money held in the cash register;
• counting cash and preparing deposits out of public view;
• restrictions on non-employees entering cash counting areas;
• ensuring deposits are transported by security personnel or at a minimum, are transported by two employees at different times taking different routes; and
• limiting acceptance of bills greater than $20.

2. Video Surveillance Cameras - Reed Security can help you with this by installing ReedHD hi-def video cameras that can clearly capture Faces & License Plates.

a. All late night retail establishments in Saskatchewan will be required to install video cameras which must, at a minimum, capture the cash desk and any outdoor gas pumps. If prominently installed and amplified by signage, video surveillance systems can increase the risks to potential offenders. Key steps to optimize video surveillance efficacy include:

• assess the business premises as a whole before identifying camera locations;
• place cameras in locations where they are most visible to customers and in areas that ensure potential offenders will be captured on video (e.g., outside of all entrances, immediately inside of all entrances, near cash machines and behind the cash desk, near garbage disposal areas); and
• consider installing a visible video monitor above and behind the cash desk showing the camera view of the customer at the cash desk (but do not consider taking this step unless the quality of displayed video is high).

3. Maintaining Clear Lines of Visibility

a. Employers are required to take steps to ensure good visibility into and out of the premises. Clear sightlines to and from the premises is another way to increase the risk perceived by offenders who fear they will be visible to passers-by during a crime. Priorities here include:

• removing all posters, advertising materials and other signs affixed to glass entrance doors and windows (but if advertising materials are required, at least ensuring they are positioned well below eye level to maintain clear sightlines);
• relocating or lowering any freestanding items (inside and outside of the premises) which block sightlines to/from the cash desk; and
• considering raising the cash desk area to elevate the worker, enhancing the overall visibility to and from the cash desk.

4. Installing Crime Prevention Signage. Reed Security can help you with this by installing "Protected by ReedHD Warning Signage".

a. Under the new law, employers are required to display signs indicating workers’ limited accessibility to cash and advising of the presence of video surveillance. Signage stating that video cameras are in use serves to increase the risk perceived by offenders. Posting signs stating that workers can only access small sums of cash is a way to reduce the reward available to potential offenders. Inherent in stating that workers have limited access to cash is the requirement for a drop safe or time-lock safe, which is a form of increasing the effort required by potential criminals. Signage priorities include:

• designing signage that synthesizes text, colour and graphics to draw attention to the signs and amplify the overall crime prevention message;
• ensuring that multiple signs are placed in appropriate places (i.e., in locations most likely to be noticed by potential offenders; and

Read more: http://blog.firstreference.com/2012/11/22/saskatchewan-poised-to-enact-the-most-far-reaching-regulation-to-protect-late-night-retail-workers-in-canada/#ixzz2HPM3b7je

5. Late Night (11:00pm to 6:00am) Lone Workers require an Emergency Panic Pendant connected to a 24/7 Central Monitoring Station that can dispatch the Police or RCMP. Reed Security can help you with this by installing a ULC approved alarm panel and training your staff how to summon for help when needed most.

Visit www.reedsecurity.com for more information or to schedule a Free Security Evaluation 306.653.3200.