1 Young Workers Health & Safety Initiatives Updated May 07

2 SAFER SAFER WORKPLACES SMARTER SMARTER YOUNG WORKERS STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES Partnering for a Safer Ontario

3 Facts about Youth From 2001 to 2005 young workers sustained: 69,132 allowed lost time claims* –The 15 to 19 age group accounted for 30% –The 20 to 24 age group accounted for 70% 52 traumatic fatalities, this represents 9.8% in Ontario 8 Young Worker Deaths in 2005 (avg. in the past 7 years has been 12) Young workers also accounted for 174,718 of allowed no lost time accidents (medical aids)

4 Top 2 industry sectors with most allowed time claims are Manufacturing and Services Types of jobs –Sales and Service –Transport / equipment operators –Labourers in processing –Manufacturing –utilities Facts about Youth

5 Most common injuries –Sprains and strains –Cuts / lacerations / punctures –Bruises / contusions Common injuries (Lost time) : –Overexertion –Being struck by an object / equipment

6 Impact on Ontario Lost time claims involving young workers cost Ontario business over $890 million in The majority of Ontario’s spending on injuries is currently directed at treating injuries rather than preventing them. Dollars put towards injury prevention research and effective programming need to be viewed as an investment rather than a cost.

7 Employer commitment for a safe workplace Ensure workplace parties are acting to reduce injuries MOL inspectors are reinforcing the importance of protecting young workers New resources to assist employers and supervisors System support to promote safer workplaces SAFER SAFER Workplaces

8 SMARTER SMARTER Young Workers Driving home the fact that young workers have rights and responsibilities in the workplace Providing this generation of Ontario workers with unprecedented resources, tools and support so they are fully prepared to Live Safe! and Work Smart!

9 Young Worker Awareness Program (YWAP)

10 High School Curriculum Program materials have been developed to help teachers meet the expectations of Grades 9 to 12 curriculum set out by the Ministry of Education for Ontario. Covers 5 major health & safety topics: Ergonomics Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Chemical Hazards Societal module

11 Page from the program

12 Overheads

13 Creativity, innovation and strategic approaches are essential elements of a successful young worker safety program Forging new alliances, engaging partners and reaching stakeholders in new and different ways STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

14 STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES Identifying high risk injuries and developing resources to assist workplace parties in eliminating or controlling the hazard. In Ontario – Musculoskeletal Disorders and Occupational illness have become priorities. developed CD ROM with information Made it available in a format that the young workers are familiar with and have access to.

15 Education - Orientation Series Tools for employers Used in the High School curriculum to introduce a workers rights in the workplace. STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

16 Video Contest 2006 Competition received 148 entries 69 schools Different topic selected each year STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

17 And the Winners Are… Third Place Second Place

18 First Place Goes To…..

19 Social Marketing Campaign STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

20 Skills Canada Provincial and National competitions in 41 skills trades Workplace Safety has been a part of the competition since Provides an opportunity to test their health and safety Knowledge STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

21 National Program of health & safety awareness youth register online, complete the programs receive a transcript WSIB sponsors the high school students in Ontario STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

22 Transcript course taken online safety programs STRATEGIES INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

23 Passport To Safety Passport to Safety CORE Tests English - Passport to Safety 101 Test Provided by: Passport to Safety $ 9.00 This test is the first of its kind, aimed at people who are working or planning to work, and who may benefit from a visual approach and straightforward wording. The test is comprehensive but basic, using pictures, plain language and videos where possible to emphasize important health and safety messages. It will test your knowledge of rights and responsibilities, and provides valuable preparation for the safety training every employer must provide....read moreread more English: Passport to Safety Challenge for Teens Provided by: Passport to Safety $ 9.00 This test is aimed at teens - anyone 19 years old and under - those that are working and those that are planning to work. If you plan to work or already do - take the test. One of the greatest benefits is ensuring you are aware of your rights and responsibilities regarding health and safety and are therefore better prepared for workplace specific safety training every employer must provide. As a bonus, visit for a free e- learning tool that will help you prepare for the challenge....read moreread more English: Passport to Safety Supervisor Assessment

24 MoL NEW!! Youth Action Group Set to Begin Work The Minister of Labour has set up an Action Group on Vulnerable Workers Under 25 to help find new and innovative ways of reducing workplace injuries and deaths in this hard-to-reach group. There are excellent programs for Ontario secondary school students that have proven to reduce injuries. However, there is still a large problem reducing serious and fatal injuries among youth under the age of 25 who go directly to the workforce from secondary school. Minister Steve Peters will chair the group, which is made up of young people, labour market experts, specialists and others involved with identifying issues and creating solutions for this vulnerable part of the workforce.

25 Other Ontario Initiatives Led by External organizations Led by Ontario’s Safety Associations Labour-led Industry-led

26 Ontario NAOSH activities London Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Student Safety Handbook and Student Leaders program Take Our Kids to Work day Other Ontario Initiatives Led by External Organizations

27 Farm Safety Association - Young New Worker Orientation and Training IAPA - Getting the Hang of It OSSA - Dare to Care OFSWA - “Speak Up” - video Other Ontario Initiatives Led by Ontario‘s Safety Associations

28 Ontario Federation of Labour’s “Know Your Rights” campaign Canadian Injured Workers Alliance Youth Education Project Day of Mourning Other Ontario Initiatives Led by Labour

29 Safety Groups Industry specific Health & Safety Guides Other Ontario Initiatives Led by Industry Groups

30 Life Quilt Our Youth at Work Heroes Road Show: SMARTRISK Project Minerva National Private Sector Programs

31 Facts about youth employment More young people are working Many youth work in small businesses Young workers balance part-time work and school Youth are more likely to be seasonal, contract, casual workers than older workers (25 years of age and older) Youth tend to change jobs more frequently than older workers New potential for more youth seeking employment

32 Remember Youth are not adults The teen age brain is under construction Adolescent brain goes through a biological remodeling Inexperience and sense of invincibility make young people, particularly males, susceptible to injury

33 Working Safely is not always about teen work

34 Putting the pieces together Success requires commitment FROM EVERYONE INVOLVED