Young WorkersWhat factors put young workers at risk?
by John Sammut, CRSP, Manager, Training & Advisory, CSAO
into play for young workers...”
A young worker is defined by Statistics Canada as a person between the ages of 15 and 24. Comparing young workers (15-24) to older workers (25-65) reveals a correlation between injuries and age.
Why are young workers at greater risk than older workers?
Type of industry is one factor. High-risk sectors such as construction tend to create unfamiliar hazards for young workers. In the year 2000, young workers in Ontario construction accounted for 1,084 (18%) lost-time injuries out of an industry total for all ages of 5,998. The frequency of these injuries decreased among older age groups in the industry.
The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Department has determined that the first few months on the job tend to increase the risk of personal injury. This conclusion supports the need for worker orientation and training before work starts.
Alberta recommends several measures for reducing risks to young workers:
Too often, the failure to provide competent supervision, to deliver training, to follow acceptable industry practices, and to take reasonable precautions can lead to occupational injury, illness, or death. These preventable accidents impact society in many ways. Not only the physical but also the psychological effects can last a lifetime.
Some risks and hazards are connected not only with new workers but also with new employers, as shown by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Employers currently in business and expanding their operations do so without increasing their frequency rate, even though they hire new workers. But new employers experience high accident rates.
The Farm Safety Association of Ontario (FSAO) has identified two factors that help explain why young workers have more accidents than older workers. One is the immortality factor that comes into play for young workers who consider themselves invincible.
The other factor is the lack of experience and training. New workers often try to create a good impression by working hard and fast, can’t recognize and assess hazards, and are reluctant to report unsafe conditions for fear of reprisal from their employers.
In addition to these factors are the physical demands placed on young workers, especially in labour-intensive jobs such as construction.
Entry-level training programs can help to offset some of the risks to young workers. Investment in entry-level training can reduce injuries to young workers now and lead to safer, healthier workplaces in future. In several industries and jurisdictions, entry-level training has improved accident prevention by increasing awareness and compliance. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) in place across Canada is one example of how training has helped to reduce occupational hazards.
Certification or accreditation of employers in workplace health and safety is another approach that has proven successful in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Although these new policies come with a price tag, the long-term benefits will be worth the investment, especially in protecting young construction workers from occupational injury, disease, and death.
HAVE YOU HEARD THIS?
Wearing hardhat-mounted earmuffs in combination with safety glasses or a
respirator decreases the muffs' effectiveness. A WSIB-funded study found
that wearing this equipment compromises the seal between earmuff and ear.
Researchers recommend earplugs to protect against low-frequency noise.
Always pay attention to fit when you wear earmuffs in combination with other protective equipment.www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/ResearchAdvisoryCouncil