Sparked by the gruesome killing of 5 petrol pump attendants at a Shell garage in Grassy Park , Cape Town , the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) embarked on an investigation into the safety levels and standards at petrol stations and how they are affected by crime. Karl Cloete * reports on its findings.
The HSRC report, "In terror and in silence", released in December 2002, provides shocking statistics of what forecourt attendants have to put up with every day of their lives. Citing research conducted by the Market Intelligence Resource Group, it said that about 60% of 462 petrol stations surveyed, had experienced violent crime.
This ranged in seriousness from armed robbery, to physical injuries of staff and civilians and in 7.6% of cases, to loss of life. Where shots were fired, petrol attendants were on the receiving end of 75% of these shots.
Arising from the study, the HSRC called for:
The creation of a cross-sectoral and high level fuel retail fuel industry crime prevention structure. This structure should establish an industry wide code of practice setting out the minimum set of safety standards for fuel retail outlets.
An industry wide summit to address and take steps to resolve the deep seated differences in the industry on how best to resolve the question of safety and security. The Minister of Labour to unblock access to training and learnership funding whether from Merseta or the Umsobomvu funds.
Workplace and conditions
Describing the working conditions of petrol pump attendants as "amongst the worst in the entire country", it said that "demotivated, untrained, poorly paid, mistreated and disloyal staff members lacking in career ambition cannot be expected to contribute in any meaningful way to the security of other employees, managers or customers at South Africa 's petrol stations."
To address this, it argued strongly:
for the establishment of career paths and job grades for petrol attendants; for industry wide agreement on grades and job levels for the sector to be reached with clear definitions and rewards for each grade.
Currently there is no distinction between grades of petrol attendants, cashiers or forecourt supervisors. for the creation of Site Safety Officers from the ranks of petrol pump attendants charged with monitoring health and safety and that such Site Safety Officers be rewarded with an increased package. for trade unions to improve their servicing and monitoring of safety and working conditions in this sector for petrol pump attendants to be trained and retrained in armed robbery survival and security procedures.
For the introduction and enforcement of minimum standards for attendants' comfort areas including adequate ventilation, lighting, temperature control, sanitation and basic facilities.
That the minimum of R4.65 (and R3.65 in rural areas) as at 31 May 2002 in no way comprises sufficient income for petrol pump attendants and their families. For improved monitoring and evaluation of occupational health standards by the Department of Labour.
Role of oil companies and retailers
Turning to the role of oil companies and petrol station owners in the protection of workers, it suggested that investigations into a low cost group life insurance be done while garages should try and move as quickly as possible towards a cashless working environment.
Government could assist the process by legislating safety standards for every petrol station including obligatory drop safes, safety equipment, closed circuit TV, and so on. The awarding of retail trading licenses would then only be granted once retailers met these requirements.
Coming to how these safety standards would be financed, the HSRC suggested that a 1% levy be imposed on or within the petrol price to assist with the large capital cost of improving the security environment at petrol stations.
The challenge for Numsa
On 10 June 2002 , the Motor Industries Bargaining Council (Mibco), at the insistence of Numsa, established a safety committee for the safety of the forecourts.
The only aspect addressed by this forum to date has been the implementation of the safety training for forecourt attendants.
Developed through Merseta, the pilot training course will run between May and June 2003. The committee will meet again soon to consider other elements of the HSRC's recommendations. The matter remains urgent.
Since the killing of the Grassy Park 5, we have witnessed a continued spate of attacks on petrol stations across the country with petrol pump attendants being the first in the firing line.
The most recent killing happened at a Khayelitsha petrol station on June 15 when a Numsa shopsteward and forecourt attendant was gunned down in an argument over a packet of chips.
* Karl Cloete is Numsa's regional organiser in the Western Cape
Source
Numsa News