New and young workers in Ontario are four times more likely to be injured during the first month of employment than at any other time. There are several reasons why new and young workers are particularly at risk.

• They lack the experience and training to recognize and avoid hazards.
• They don't know their rights.
• They aren't properly supervised.
• They haven't received adequate orientation.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is healthy and safe and that workers are provided with the information, instruction, and supervision they need to protect themselves against potential hazards. This is especially important when dealing with new and young wokers.

Young Worker vs. New Worker

A young worker is defined by Statistics Canada as a person 15 to 24 years of age. Every day in Ontario, an average of nearly 50 young workers under age 25 are injured or killed on the job.

A new worker is a person 25 years or older who has been on the job less than six months or has been reassigned to a new job. New workers can include

• any new hire, either permanent or temporary, including supervisors, with or without experience in the industry where they are working
• current workers who are assigned new jobs
• student workers, co-op placements or apprentices.

MOL Safety Blitz

The Ontario Ministry of Labour is launching a four-month safety blitz to help protect new and young workers. Beginning May 1, health and safety inspectors will ensure employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and that young workers are

• Instructed, trained and supervised on jobs
• Using proper safety measures, equipment and procedures to prevent injuries
• Meeting minimum age requirements for the work they are doing.

Inspectors will focus on workplaces where many new and young workers are employed, including restaurants, landscaping sites, arenas, mills, nursing homes, low-rise construction projects and farming operations.

Resources

Products

P001 – Help New Workers Start Right

This poster that reminds people to help new workers be safe by explaining and demonstrating how to do the job safely and supervising their progress.

B038 – Young Workers: Special Issue

This special issue of Construction Safety magazine focuses on young workers: why they're more at risk for accidents and how to help protect them.

B045 – Contractor's Toolkit

This toolkit can help firms develop or improve their health and safety progam. It contains resources to help you comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction Regulations as well as Ministry of Labour audits and inspections. Resources include a sample Employee Orientation Checklist.

FD043 – New on the Job DVD

Use this DVD in your new worker orientation program. Focuses on personal protective equipment, hazard awareness and responsibilities.

Web Resources