HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1717

BYRepresentatives Cole, R. King, Fisher, Winsley, Leonard, Anderson, Ebersole, Dellwo, Miller, Allen, Wang, Sayan, Nelson, Vekich, Lux and Unsoeld

Requiring franchisees to maintain workplace safety for twenty-four hour operations.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisher, Jones, R. King and Sayan.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives O'Brien, Patrick, Sanders, C. Smith and Walker.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Many convenience stores and other businesses remain open twenty-four hours per day.  Special safety precautions for employees working night shifts are not required by state law.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Employers in the grocery store or gas station business who remain open 24 hours per day are required to equip the workplace with sound alarm equipment that signals law enforcement personnel and provide training for employees in robbery and violence prevention.

Franchisors who require the franchisee to remain open 24 hours per day are required to pay any costs associated with safety compliance.

The chapter will be implemented and enforced under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.  Employers are required to make and keep records regarding compliance activities.

If an employer refuses to provide the employee training required by the act, the employer is liable to the affected employee for a civil penalty of $100 and for attorneys' fees and costs.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute bill extends coverage of the bill to all grocery stores and gas stations that remain open 24 hours per day.  It deletes the requirement in the original bill that two employees must be on duty at the workplace.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 1, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Leta Gruebel; Barb Neubauer; and Julie Barnard, Washington State Labor Council.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Martin Durkin, Southland Corporation;  Ron McClung;  and Steve Schader, Atlantic Richfield.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Employees working night shifts at convenience stores need better security protections and training in robbery and violence prevention. When an employee is injured as the result of violence, it results in a large cost to the employee, the employer, and the state.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Convenience stores are using the training programs and security measures that are effective.  Other requirements will not increase security for employees and should not be mandated in law.