May 29, 2006

Workplace Safety

Campaign targets youth

WSIB safety blitz aims to educate young workers

FAZEENA SAMAD

staff writer

TORONTO

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recently launched its annual safety campaign aimed at young workers aged 15 to 24.

The goal is to promote awareness by educating young workers about their safety rights and responsibilities in the workplace. The campaign features three young people whose lives were significantly affected by workplace injuries.

Trista Hughes, whose brother, Dylan, was killed at work, says more needs to be done to educate young workers about their rights in the workplace.

“Young workers don’t realize the possible dangers involved in the workplace until it directly affects them. I know I didn’t, and it should not be this way,” she cautioned.

WSIB

One of the posters promoting safety among young workers features the death of Trista Hughes’s brother, Dylan.

“My wish is people will listen to me and understand that workplace safety is very serious. I don’t want other families to experience the tragedy that mine still goes through every single day.”

“Young workers often lack the experience to recognize and avoid workplace hazards,” added Christine Arnott, media relations for WSIB. “Overall, young workers account for approximately 18 per cent of Ontario’s allowed lost time and no lost time claims covered by the WSIB from 2000 to 2004. This represents a major portion of injuries relative to their demographic size.”

“He was never properly trained on how to use a forklift.”

Trista Hughes, Campaign Participant

According to a WSIB report, there were 60 traumatic fatalities for young workers under 25 years of age, representing about 11 per cent of Ontario’s traumatic fatalities covered by both the WSIB and the Ministry of Labour.

The report also showed that more than 5,000 young workers in the construction industry lost time claims for on-the-job injuries from 2000 to 2004.

And young workers employed in occupations such as construction trades, transport equipment operating and product fabricating, assembling and repairing had the highest number of traumatic fatalities.

Arnott says most of these injuries are preventable and employers need to “keep a safe and well-maintained workplace and provide proper safety and equipment training” for young workers.

In Dylan’s case, many things could have been done to prevent his death, says Trista.

“He was never properly trained on how to use a forklift; he didn’t even have to take a course,” Hughes added.

“And when the accident occurred, there were no supervisors or employees in the area. The platform he was backing onto was broken, and had been temporarily fixed with a latch. His employers should have ensured proper training or supervision.

“The forklift was not enclosed to keep the operator inside. And a fact that still bothers my family is that seatbelts are not mandatory, as even that may have saved my brother’s life.”

The 2006 campaign runs until mid-July and features radio advertising, web banners, poster advertisements on public transit and at convenience stores.

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