The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has updated its 40-page Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments that addresses issues causing late-night retail workers to be killed on the job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 167 retail trade workers were killed in 2007. Nearly half of these were employed in late-night establishments such as gasoline stations, liquor and convenience stores. Of these worker deaths, 39 killed were convenience store employees, 32 worked at gasoline stations and 7 worked at liquor stores.

OSHA recommends that at a minimum, workplace violence prevention programs should include a clear policy on workplace violence and threats; encouraging workers to promptly report incidents; have comprehensive security plan with a liaison with law enforcement and others who can help identify and prevention or mitigation measures; assign responsibility and authority for the program to trained individuals or teams.

OSHA emphasizes that the four components of an effective program are: management commitment and worker involvement; worksite analysis; hazard prevention and control; and training. OSHA recommends conducting periodic surveys of workers so management can assess whether assaults, threats, or other crimes have occurred at the workplace.