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Young Workers

Career Programs
Student Group:
Secondary Students

Work safety and rights are everyone's business and responsibility.Take initiative and protect yourself from getting hurt or exploited at work.

Here are some tips for parents and young workers to understand more about being on the job. Ask Questions and Learn Employment Regulations!!

Labour Information        

Too often, young people are exploited on the job.  Whether it be the training wage, hourly wages, statutory holidays, or work schedules, it is very important for young workers to know their rights under the Employment Standards Act.

 

Find out more:

Remember there are different regulations and forms for children in certain industries such as film & fruit picking.  

 

Employee Rights           

1. RIGHT TO KNOW

  • What hazards are present on the job.
  • Health and safety training.  

2. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE

  • Participate in joint health and safety committees.
  • Report unsafe practices and conditions.

3. RIGHT TO REFUSE UNSAFE WORK

  • Can refuse dangerous work.
  • Limited rights: - Health Care Workers, corrections workers.

 

New employees should ask their supervisor... 

  • What are the potenial hazards on the job?
  • Do I get safety training?
  • How do I get First Aid if I am injured?
  • What if I don't feel safe? 

To find out more read Getting a Job? Ask questions about safety produced by WorkSafe BC     

 

Where Can I Learn More About Workplace Health and Safety?

Visit the WorkSafeBC Young Worker website                                                            

 

Interesting Facts From WorkSafe BC

  • Did you know that retail workers are the most prone to danger?
  • More than 1000 workers are injured per year.
  • Lifting objects is #1 on the top seven dangers facing BC's young workers compared to #7 which are construction and manufacturing jobs. Here's a link to look at more facts, Click here.

FAQs

Q. Are young workers injured more often than older workers are?

A. Yes, young workers are at higher risk of injury than any other age groups.

 

Q. How frequently are young workers hurt on the job?

A. Each hour in B.C. 1 young worker is injured on the job.

    Everyday about 36 young workers are hurt.

    Every week, 5 of these young workers are permanently injured.

........for more FAQs from Work Safe BC click here.

 

Safety STAR (Safety, Training, Accountablilty, Recognition)  

This unique program is developed by industry for industry. The Safety STAR program is aimed at construction workers, site supervisors and owners/managers, and now available to students. Learn about hazards and how to avoid them, safe work practices and much more.

VSB students interested in this program please contact (Work Experience Facilitator), Sandra Wrigley at (604) 713-5064.