Workplace Safety
Why Workplace Safety?
Making money, an important priority for most of us! Whether you work part-time, full-time, or even just during the summer, most of us (unless you’re Paris Hilton) have taken a job at one time or another in our lives.
A workplace, any workplace, can be a dangerous environment. It doesn’t have to be a sawmill, the industries with the highest amount of young worker injury include restaurants, retail stores and supermarkets. It’s important to look out for your own safety no matter where you work.
Between 13-15% of all workplace accidents occur to young workers between the ages of 15-24 - in 2005 this amounted to 396 incidents that required medical aid and two fatalities.
The most common type of claim for young workers involves injury from over-exertion in lifting (22%). Other common claims included injuries from bending/climbing/crawling/reaching/twisting; fall to floor, walkway or other surface; being struck by a falling object; and being struck by slipping handheld object.
For more information and statistics on young worker injuries in Newfoundland and Labrador, click here.
HOW CAN I PREVENT WORKPLACE INJURIES?
You need to take care of your own health and safety, and not put others at risk.
As a worker, you have a duty to:
- Follow established safe work practices
- Use personal protective equipment
- Report hazards and violations
- Use equipment appropriately
- Take responsibility for your own safety
- Ask questions when in doubt about workplace hazards
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Educate yourself whenever possible about workplace health and safety. Know your rights and responsibilities so that you can recognize and respond to any hazards you may face on the job.
- Check out Passport to Safety, an online program with a mission help prevent needless injuries and preventable deaths for Canadians 24 years of age and younger. The site offers user-friendly information and a certificate in workplace safety that you can use on your resume. Click here to learn more.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?
All workers have the following rights under our provincial Occupational Health and Safety legislation:
To know the hazards and how to protect themselves
You have the right to know the hazards in your job. Your employer or supervisor must tell you about anything in your job that can hurt you. Your employer must make sure you are provided with the information you need so that you can work safely.
To participate in finding and resolving health and safety concerns
You have the right to take part in keeping your workplace healthy and safe. Depending on the size of the company, you can be part of the Health and Safety Committee or be a Health and Safety Representative. You also have the right to participate in training and information sessions to help you do your job safely.
To refuse work which they believe is unusually dangerous
If you believe your job is likely to endanger you, you have an obligation to report the unsafe situation to management. If the situation is not corrected and you feel your health and safety is still in danger, you have the right to refuse to perform the work without reprisal.
SAFETY CHECKLIST
Make Sure Your Employer Reviews This With You!
- What are the workplace hazards or risks I should be made aware of?
- How can I report a workplace hazard?
- What safety training will I receive?
- Where can I access safety policies, procedures and OH&S legislation?
- Is there any personal protective equipment that I’ll be expected to wear?
- Where are the fire extinguishers, emergency exits and first aid kits located?
- Are there safety meetings?
- Who are the OH&S (Occupational Health & Safety) committee members and/or the WH&S (Workplace Health & Safety) representative?
- What if I get hurt? Who should I contact?
SPEAK UP
Don’t be afraid to speak up. The boss can’t read your mind. So if you’re not clear about doing something safely – ask about it! Saying you’re not sure or uncomfortable can be hard, even for experienced workers, but it’s worth it when it comes to your safety. Try something like:
“I really like working with this equipment, but there’s a lot to remember. Can you spare a few minutes to go over it again?”
“I think I’ve got the hang of this, but can you watch to make sure I’m doing everything right?”
“I’m still not comfortable with this – would you explain it again?”
It’s your life - so be SAFE
- Spot the Hazard
- Assess the Risk
- Find a Safer Way
- Everyday
IT’S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Many of us are not aware of the potentially life-threatening hazards present in the workplace.
Statistics show that one in seven young workers is injured on the job. After car accidents, the leading causes of death among young people are machine injuries and electrocutions.
Here are a few stories from the Canadian LifeQuilt project that honours the memories of young Canadians who were killed at work:
- Steven Bednas, 19 - Although Steven had finished his job of setting up a computer system, he stayed late to show a new employee how to crush cardboard boxes in a large shredding machine. When the machine jammed, Steven climbed up to kick the boxes down. The machine started up again and Steven was caught in it. The other employee did not know how to turn it off.
- Michael R. Eddy, 22 - Michael was working on a scaffold, when the chain holding the scaffold came loose, causing it to fall. Michael had no harness and fell. It was his sixth day on the job.
- Giuseppe (Joey) Bussoli, 21 - Giuseppe was struck by a “front-end” loader. It was his third month of work in a recycling plant. This tragedy could have been prevented if the work area had been marked appropriately and if workers had had proper training.
- David Ellis, 18 - On his second day of work at a temporary position in a bakery, David was pulled into an industrial dough mixer.
- Timothy Hamilton, 19 - Tim was working at a summer job, erecting a large party tent. His crew had been working for over twelve hours. It was after dark and there were no lights. As Tim and another worker maneuvered the last metal pole into place, it came into contact with a hydro line and Tim was electrocuted.
Many of these tragedies could easily have been avoided if a few basic safety rules had been followed, and if the employer had adequately trained the new employee to recognize potentially dangerous situations.
