High-school dropouts are four times more likely than other workers to be injured on the job. About 8 percent of high school dropouts are hurt while working.Most employers aren't intentionally putting their workers in dangerous positions, but accidents do happen, and young people who didn't finish high school seem to be the most vulnerable when it comes to not recognizing risks. The challenge is to increase the awareness of young people that work is dangerous and raise awareness on the part of employers that young workers are at greater risk of an injury.
Young guys are more vulnerable to work injuries and there are statistics to prove it. An example is a 19-year-old boy who on the third of work at his part-time job was asked to pour a highly flammable chemical from one drum into another without being told of the dangers of the task. The chemical ignited and exploded, killing him.
Last year, 10 young Ontario workers were killed on the job. The report also notes the construction sector has a 71 percent increase in lost-time injuries among workers 18 and younger, a 40 percent increase among 19-year-olds, and a 50 percent increase for workers between the ages of 20 to 24.
High-school students taking chemistry learn about the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, law students read up on the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and even Grade 7 and Grade 8 students are beginning to learn about workplace safety.
The challenge now is to reach young people outside the school system so they can identify risky situations and avoid being injured or killed. Young workers need to understand what their rights are should not feel in any way vulnerable or intimidated in a workplace. Young workers need to make sure they arm themselves with the knowledge that they do have that right to say no to unsafe work.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's edgy "Prevent It" cartoon advertising campaign hopes to hit those workers, as well as all young people who do dangerous work. One ad features a bloody severed ear with earphones sticking out and the slogan,
"Why prevent workplace injuries? Because your tunes will definitely sound better!
Young people have been responding positively and admitting they never gave much thought to workplace safety.
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/237385
