News Release
Communiqué
07-81
For Immediate Release
June 21, 2007
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT MAKING SUMMER JOBS SAFE FOR YOUNG WORKERS
Over One Million Tip Sheets Help Keep Young Workers Safe
TORONTO--The McGuinty government and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) have partnered to make sure that every student in Ontario gets the information they need to keep themselves safe in the workplace this summer thanks to the Young Worker Tip Sheets program, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced today.
"Statistics show that workplace injuries to new and young workers are four times more likely to occur during their first month of employment than at any other time," said Peters. "The tip sheets for students will ensure our young people know how to protect themselves, know how to recognize unsafe situations, and know they can say no to unsafe work."
The tip sheet, "Protecting Yourself: Tips for Young Workers," is being distributed to every Ontario student from grades 7 to 12--over one million in number--in time for summer and seasonal jobs.
"The health and safety of Ontario's students is paramount -- whether they're learning in school or earning in a workplace," said Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne. "That's why we've already done a number of things to make our schools safer, and I'm sure these new tip sheets will help make Ontario's students safer in their summer jobs."
The tip sheets were printed by the WSIB, and distributed by the Ministry of Education, both long time young worker health and safety partners with the Ministry of Labour.
"Last year more than 13,000 workers between 15 and 24 were injured in the workplace seriously enough to miss work, and 10 young lives were cut short due to workplace incidents -- that is unacceptable to me," said Steven Mahoney, WSIB Chair. "The tip sheet is another way to reach young workers and get our health and safety message to them. Along with the young worker campaign launched last month and websites like www.prevent-it.ca, we are sending the message that workplace injuries and illnesses are unacceptable and we are arming young workers with the tools to prevent them."
"The McGuinty government's workplace health and safety strategy continues to produce dramatic results by preventing the human cost of workplace injuries and avoiding costs for businesses," said Peters.
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For further information:
Public enquiries:
1-800-268-8013 (Province-wide)
416-326-7770 (GTA)
Media enquiries:
| Susan McConnell Minister's Office 416-326-7710 |
Belinda Sutton Ministry of Labour 416-326-7405 |
