Recommendations for workplace violence prevention programs in late-night retail establishments (SuDoc L 35.2:V 81)

Workplace violence, whether it is defined narrowly to include only violent criminal acts, or broadly to include verbal threats, has long affected retail workers. OSHA developed these recommendations to help late-night retail employers design and implement prevention programs tailored to the workplace
violence hazards in their businesses. Existing data, while limited, suggests that late-night retail establishments, such as convenience stores, liquor stores, and gasoline stations, experience relatively high homicide and assault rates. This booklet is meant to provide guidance to retail employers so they may avoid such incidents whenever possible. By recognizing the hazards that lead to violent incidents and implementing appropriate prevention and control measures, employers will improve the safety of their workers. OSHA encourages employers to establish violence prevention programs and to track
their progress in reducing work-related assaults. Although not every incident can be prevented, the severity of injuries sustained by workers can be
reduced. Adopting practical measures, such as those outlined in this publication, can significantly reduce this serious threat to worker safety.

The goal of this document is to encourage employers to implement programs to identify the potential risks of workplace violence and to implement corrective measures. These recommendations are not a “model program” or a rigid package of violence prevention steps uniformly applicable to all establishments. No single strategy is appropriate for all businesses, since environmental and other risk factors for workplace violence differ widely among workplaces. Employers may use a combination of strategies recommended in this document, as appropriate, for their particular workplace.