NAICS Code: 447110, Gasoline stations with convenience stores

Company Description:

Bill's Quick Mart is a 24/7/365 convenience store that serves the Rogersville, Missouri, community, with U-Haul, gasoline, groceries, and other products and services. This rural community is located about 12 miles from Springfield, Missouri.

The Situation:

As the owner of a small company, Mr. Bill Spurlock (Bill's Quick Mart's owner) was searching for workplace safety and health assistance on the Internet when he learned about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, On-Site Consultation Program. The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies (such as the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Standards, Division of Labor Standards, On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program) or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. Urged on by a strong desire to provide a safer working environment, Spurlock reached out to the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program and requested an on-site consultation visit.

The Solution:

During the initial facility safety and health assessment on October 19, 2015, the consultant identified risks involving paperwork for hazardous chemicals, personal protective equipment, electrical systems, and labeling errors. All hazards identified during the consultation visits were corrected. Since that first visit, the Bill's Quick Mart team has learned to look at potential hazards from a different perspective. Now, everyone is in charge when it comes to safety. Changes have included implementation of new programs, safety training, increased employee involvement, and effective hazard abatement procedures. This totally voluntary, no cost service allowed Spurlock and his team to learn how to reduce safety and health hazards.

The Impact:

These changes have paid off. "We have had no workplace injuries, and the employees and I are more conscientious about safety," said Spurlock. This convenience story has experienced no recordable incidents and maintained a zero Total Recordable Case Rate (TRC) from 2014 through 2016. Likewise, their Days Away, Restricted, and/or Transfer Rate (DART) remained at zero from 2014 through 2016. In comparison for NAICS code 447110, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the industry average TRC rate was 2.67, and the average DART rate was 1.1 for this period. [NOTE: 2016 is the most recent year national averages are available.]

On June 15, 2017, Bill's Quick Mart was approved to participate in the OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). SHARP recognizes small business employers who have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Program services and operate an exemplary safety and health programs. Acceptance of a worksite into SHARP is an achievement that singles a company out among its business peers as a model for workplace safety and health.

This distinction now sets Bill's Quick Mart apart in their efforts to keep their employees safe. There are currently only 36 companies in the state that have earned the SHARP Award, and Bill's Quick Mart is the first convenience store to earn this distinction. "It is quite the accomplishment for a single store operation, such as ourselves, and we are quite proud," said Spurlock.

"It has been a very positive experience," said Spurlock. "The employees realize they are working in the safest convenience store in Missouri." Bill's Quick Mart is the first convenience store in Missouri to achieve SHARP status, and the thirteenth (13^th) in the nation. Along with these successes, it highlights how the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program is broadening the value of its service to more industries and small businesses.

To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.

Source: Bill Spurlock, Owner, Bill's Quick Mart

Missouri Department of Labor, (August 9, 2017) Bill's Quick Mart Welcomed Into SHARP.