Retail Offices Schools and Public Buildings

Indoor air quality means the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the air in a non-residential workplace (e.g., an office) where there are no work processes or operations that could affect the workers' comfort.

Some of most common symptoms of poor indoor air quality are:

• headaches;
• fatigue;
• shortness of breath;
• sinus congestion;
• coughing or sneezing;
• eye, nose or throat irritation;
• skin irritation; and
• dizziness and nausea.

Many indoor air quality concerns can be prevented by ensuring ventilation is adequate, temperature and humidity levels are comfortable and by minimizing airborne contaminants.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan's Indoor Air Quality Guide assists workplaces with investigating and resolving common indoor air quality concerns. It is intended for workplaces such as offices, schools and retail outlets. It is not intended for home-based businesses, manufacturing, or other industrial workplaces.

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 require employers of late night retail premises to put safety measures in place to protect workers in addition to the measures required under The Saskatchewan Employment Act.

A late night premises is a place of employment that is open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. for the purposes of making retail sales to consumers.

Employers who own late night retail premises are required to conduct workplace hazard assessments that comply with the approved safety standards for their industry. Once the hazards have been identified, the risks can be assessed and the appropriate controls or preventative measures can be put in place. A hazard assessment for late night retail premises must be reviewed and updated every three years. Updates must also be made whenever there is a change in circumstances.

An employer who owns a late night retail premises, must implement the following additional safety measures:

• develop a written safe cash handling procedure that minimizes the amount of money that is available to workers;
• use a video camera to capture key areas in the workplace, including the cash desk and outdoor gas pumps (if applicable);
• take measures to ensure good visibility inside and outside of the premises; and
• post signs indicating that worker have limited accessibility to cash and valuables, and the use of video cameras on the premises.

In addition, employers who have one employee working alone must:

• implement a check-in system and a written check-in procedure for the worker; and
• provide, at no cost to the worker, a personal emergency transmitter to be worn by the worker and will signal for an emergency response when activated.