NSLC topping up security measures

By David Jackson, The Chronicle Herald

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. is beefing up security to comply with rules meant to prevent workplace violence.

“We want to make sure that we’re not only in compliance, but we exceed the requirements in the area,” corporation spokeswoman Jennifer Gray said Monday.

The Crown agency is now seeking bids for the improvements. The tender closes Jan. 30.

Ms. Gray said she couldn’t discuss the level of security now in place in stores or what the improvements could be because such information is “sensitive.”

That’s also why the liquor corporation limited its tender call to a list of qualified companies, she said. She did say that the improvements would be an extension of what now exists.

“We don’t have a lot of issues, but enough that we need to make sure our folks are safe, and that our customers are safe in our stores,” Ms. Gray said, adding that there hasn’t been any increase in problems recently.

The province created new regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in 2007 that required employers in most sectors to do violence risk assessments, then come up with a prevention plan by April of this year.