Young Workers
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Young workers are those workers aged 15 to 24 and are among the highest risk groups for workplace injury. For many, the eagerness to tackle any assigned task, the desire to look competent, and the reluctance to ask questions can result in workers who are vulnerable to injury.
Every job has its hazards, and it is important that all workers, and especially young or new workers have hazards pointed out to them, and are trained on whatever hazard controls have been put in place. Some hazards (those related to machinery and equipment, for example) may be more obvious than others (ergonomic hazards, for example, or slips and trips). Respecting health and safety hazards and understanding the risk of what could go wrong will provide a foundation for a healthy and safe workplace.
Young workers should be encouraged to raise their health and safety concerns, report hazards in the workplace, and ask any questions they may have.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, both employers and workers have a legal duty when it comes to workplace health and safety. This shared responsibility for health and safety is known as the Internal Responsibility System.
Because they may be new to the workforce, young workers may not know about or understand their rights or their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers have a responsibility to protect all workers, regardless of age and experience. Under the Youth Employment Act, no employer is allowed to hire a young person in a job that is or is likely to be harmful to the health or safety, moral, or physical development of the young person. The Act also outlines specific limits on the hours young persons should be working, as well as additional employer obligations such as:
- Assigning reasonable duties, taking into account the age, knowledge, education, and work experience of the worker;
- Giving appropriate instruction and identifying potential dangers;
- Directly supervising the work of the young person or making sure that the young person is supervised by an adult with experience of the work; and
- Providing adequate training before authorizing the young person to work unsupervised.
The duties of employers to protect the health and safety of their workers are the same for everyone, regardless of worker age or experience. A comprehensive workplace safety orientation will help new and young workers integrate into their new work environment. See New Worker Safety Orientation for more information.
Employers must:
- Take every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of workers and others who may be at or near their workplace. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(a)]
- Make sure that workers are familiar with workplace hazards and the procedures to minimize risks. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(d)]
- Comply with all relevant OHS Acts and regulations and make sure workers comply while at work. [OHS Act, S. 12 (2)(d)]
- Provide equipment, machines, and materials that are safe to use and be around. These precautions include making sure all safety features or devices are used as recommended by the manufacturer or additional measures required by the OHS General Regulations. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(b)]
- Maintain all equipment, machines, and materials so that they do not become hazardous. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(b)]
- Provide any training or supervision necessary to maintain a safe workplace. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(c)]
- Make sure all workers are competent and able to properly use any safety devices and personal protective equipment that may be required by whatever task they are doing. Personal protective equipment must fit properly to be fully effective. [OHS Act, S. 12 (1)(e)]
- Post a copy of the OHS Act and regulations in a prominent place that all workers can see, as well as any notices and reports that are required. [OHS Act, S. 45]
- Establish and maintain a Joint Occupational Safety and Health (JOSH) Committee or select at least one health and safety representative. [OHS Act, S. 25] [OHS Act, S. 26]
Worker Responsibilities
Young workers have the same responsibilities as experienced workers when it comes to health and safety in the workplace. Young workers must understand that a workplace has actual and potential hazards that may cause harm if not properly controlled, or if safe work practices are not followed.
While at work, workers must:
- Follow the instructions, education, and training provided by the employer, and properly use any equipment required to do the task.
- Work in compliance with the OHS Act and regulations. [OHS Act, S. 16 (1)(f)]
- Take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker’s own health and safety and that of others who may be at or near their workplace. [OHS Act, S. 16 (1)(a)]
- Wear or use personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing as instructed by the employer, and as required by the OHS Act and regulations. [OHS Act, S. 16 (1)(c)]
- Report any hazards to a supervisor or employer immediately. [OHS Act, S. 16 (2)]
- Consult and cooperate with the JOSH Committee or representative. [OHS Act, S. 16 (1)(d)]
See Duties of Workers for more information.
Worker Rights
All workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment. To promote the internal responsibility system (IRS) and to make sure that everyone takes responsibility for their own health and safety, and for the health and safety of those around them, three fundamental worker rights were developed.
These workers rights are:
- The Right to Know. Workers have the right to know the hazards of the job, and how these hazards can affect them. These hazards are usually introduced in safety orientations, training sessions, or through on-the-job instructions. An example is Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training when you work with hazardous products.
- The Right to Participate. Workers have the right to participate in health and safety activities in the workplace. This participation can include being part of the JOSH Committee, asking questions, raising concerns, learning more about OHS, and reporting unsafe practices and conditions to a supervisor.
- The Right to Refuse Work. Where a worker has reason to believe that doing an assigned task is likely to endanger the health and safety of themselves or another person, the worker has the right to refuse to do that task. The first step in a work refusal is a worker reporting their concern to their supervisor, and their refusal to put themselves in danger. [OHS Act, S. 28]
These rights are in place to protect the health and safety of all workers, and mean that a worker should not suffer negative consequences for exercising their rights, or following the Act and regulations.
Training
Everyone needs training before they can begin a new task or job. The employer is responsible for providing instruction to all workers on how to do a task or job safely. The instructions should include an explanation of job duties, followed by a demonstration of how to safely do the task. Workers can show they have a good understanding of tasks by being able to repeat the instructions to the supervisor or trainer, or being able to complete all steps of the task safely. The first few times a worker does a task should be under direct supervision to make sure that no steps are missed. This supervision is also an opportunity for the worker to ask questions and for the supervisor to provide feedback, and extra training if it is needed.
NOTE TO YOUNG WORKERS: Speak Up and Ask Questions
It’s okay to ask questions. When you understand the instructions clearly, you will have a better chance of doing the work properly and safely.
Know the hazards in your workplace, and actively participate in your health and safety. If you are asked to do something that you do not believe is safe, or you do not have adequate training to do the job safely, speak with your supervisor right away. Your supervisor would prefer you tell them that you are not sure of something before you do it, rather than finding out after an incident or injury.
If you do not think your concerns were handled correctly, then you can bring the concern to the JOSH Committee or representative.
Remember! The purpose of occupational health and safety legislation is to protect you, the worker, against hazards on the job. The IRS works when everyone is looking out for their own health and safety and the health and safety of their co-workers.