Following a series of concerning incidents onsite ACAPMA is advising members to consult with their retail staff about an increased risk of injury due to a concerning TikTok trend that has seen console operators attacked with boiling water or coffee.
Review of Incidents
A series of disturbing incidents, of console operators being attacked with boiling hot coffee or water to the face, while a co-offender films the assault for ‘views’ on TikTok, has been seen in the national fuel retail network in recent weeks.
While the number of incidents is low the potential for injury is high, as is the potential for further incidents given the nature of TikTok trends, even criminal ones.
In the latest incident a console operator was attacked in a metropolitan Victorian site by a young ‘customer’ and her friend, who threw boiling hot coffee in the face of the console operator, then walked away from the site. Police detained and charged the youths shortly thereafter.
Action to take now
“This kind of ‘content’ is reprehensible and unacceptable. Thankfully there are only very low numbers of this trend occurring onsite, but given the tendency of TikTok trends to explode in popularity rapidly we are advising members to talk to their staff about this risk”, explains ACAPMAs Elisha Radwanowski.
“It would be appropriate to circulate a memo to staff outlining that there have been recent incidents and as a result they should be vigilant for customers approaching them with beverages, particularly hot beverages that have no lid”.
“Staff should be advised that if they see a customer approaching with an open hot beverage that they should not panic, but take a step back and increase the distance between them and the customer. If surprised while on the floor staff should raise their arms to protect their faces”, concluded Elisha.
Here to Help
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