B.C.’s labour minister is defending changes to the workplace regulation that required employers to provide a secure barrier for night-shift employees who work alone.
Changes took effect Sunday that allow another option for operators of gas stations, convenience stores and other 24-hour businesses.
Rather than have an expensive security barrier or more than one employee present, the regulation allows employers to put in video surveillance and a call button for employees.
The original regulation is known as Grant’s Law, after Maple Ridge gas station employee Grant De Patie, who was run over and killed in 2005 when he tried to stop a driver from leaving without paying for gasoline.
Labour Minister Margaret MacDiarmid said Monday the main provision of Grant’s Law is mandatory pre-payment for gasoline, and that remains.