COHS Calls for Parking Lot Safety in the Workplace

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) describes the potential risks of workplace parking lots and how employees may protect themselves from parking lot crime.

Always

• Park near your building in a highly visible and well-lit area.
• Park near the parking attendant, if there is one, or near the stairs or a well-lit exit in an underground lot.
• Use the main building entrance–avoid rear or secluded exits.
• Keep your valuables, including purses and recent purchases, out of sight. Always lock them in the trunk if you have to leave them in the car.
• Lock the doors and roll up windows once you are in the vehicle.
• Have a plan ahead of time. Know where you can go for safety and how to call for help.

Do Not

• Do not use more than one parking spot, as it may anger another person.
• Do not park next to large vans, trucks or other vehicles, as they will block your sight.
• Do not have a personal identification tag on your key ring. If your keys are lost or stolen, a thief will be able to find your car or house.
• Do not approach someone if they are loitering near your vehicle. Walk to a safe place, such as a lighted store, house or building. Call the police.
• Do not dig in your purse or bag.
• Do not wear headphones or be distracted by a cell phone conversation.
• Do not carry heavy briefcases or bags that may get in the way.

Have Ready

• Your keys to unlock the vehicle.
• Your keys or cardkey to unlock building doors.
• A whistle or other personal alarm.

Have the keys ready to unlock the door as you get near the vehicle or door. As you approach your car, look around, inside, and even glance underneath for people who may be present. If you are suspicious, walk away. Go to a safe place and call for help.

Report suspicious behaviour to the parking lot attendant, security or the police.

If You Have to Walk Alone

Always try to walk with a friend, co-worker, or a security officer. Give your escort a ride back to the main entrance so they do not have to walk back alone.

• Have your co-worker watch you from a window.
• Wave to them on the way to your vehicle.
• Wave to them even if no one is watching to give the illusion that someone is watching you.
• Stay on well-lit streets, and in the center of the sidewalk. Stay away from hiding spots, such as bushes, doorways, alleys and parked cars. Cross the road if necessary.

Always be alert to your surroundings. Walk with confidence. Keep your head up and look around. Look directly at people but do not stare at them. Trust your instincts when you feel something is not right.

Read the full COHS report here.

Parking Lot Owner Responsibility

Parking lot owners and managers are required by law to provide a safe premises for all patrons legally on their property and to prevent foreseeable third-party criminal attacks, such as rapes, shootings, assaults, or robberies. For example, should a proprietor have reason to anticipate a criminal act based on knowledge of a security lapse or a previous crime on or near property, he or she then has a duty to exercise ordinary care to deter such crime and protect those legally on their premises from harm.

We Fight for Victims of Parking Lot and Workplace Security Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of parking lot violence and security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance if desired.  We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.