Unique Needs of Young and New Workers. Jessica Brodie Youth Programs Co-ordinator WorkSafeNB October 2, 2014

Transcription

1 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Jessica Brodie Youth Programs Co-ordinator WorkSafeNB October 2, 2014

2 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Did you know? New workers have been shown to have a higher injury rate than more experienced workers (Institute for Work and Health, 2009) What implications does this have for: Employers who hire these new workers? Those in charge of their training and supervision? What is your role in keeping young and new workers safe?

3 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Think back Way back

4 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Think back And remember I remember feeling... I remember how helpful it was when... I remember how awful it was when... I remember thinking... I remember wanting to ask, I remember feeling panicked when... Looking back now, I wish someone had

5 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Think back And look ahead. How can your own experiences as a young/new worker help you relate to the young/new workers in your organization? What role might you take in keeping these workers safe?

6 Safety is a Shared Responsibility Everyone in the workplace shares responsibility for prevention and improvement to the extent of their authority and ability to do so.

7 Internal Responsibility System (IRS) Under this system: Management is responsible for their own health and safety as well as for the people they supervise. Employees are responsible for their own health and safety.

8 Workers Responsibilities Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act: 1) Comply with the OHS Act and regulations 2) Conduct themselves in a safe manner and not put others at risk 3) Report any workplace hazards 4) Wear appropriate PPE 5) Co-operate with the JHSC or health & safety reps 6) Co-operate with WorkSafeNB and its officers

9 Employers Responsibilities Definition of an Employer: a) A person who employs one or more employees b) A manager, superintendent, supervisor or any person having authority over another or c) An agent of any person referred to in (a) or (b)

10 Employers Responsibilities Under the OHS Act: 1) Ensure the health and safety of their employees 2) Comply with the OHS Act and regulations and ensure their employees do as well 3) Ensure that tools/equipment are maintained and are of minimum risk to health and safety 4) Ensure that employees are aware of hazards 5) Provide information, instruction, training and supervision

11 Employers Responsibilities 6) Provide and maintain in good condition the necessary PPE 7) Co-operate with JHSC/H&S reps 8) Post a copy of the OHS Act and regulations 9) Implement H&S policies and procedures 10) If more than 20 employees in N.B., must have a health and safety program

12 Your Responsibility to Young/New Workers New legislation regarding new workers: Occupational Health and Safety Act: 8.2 (2): The employer shall ensure that a new employee receives orientation and training specific to the new employee s position and place of employment before the new employee begins work

13 What is a New Worker? An employee who is: New to a position or place of employment Returning to a position or place of employment in which the hazards have changed during the employee s absence Under 25 years of age and returning to a position or place of employment after an absence of more than six months Affected by a change in the hazards of a position or place of employment * Young workers: workers who are aged (Statistics Canada)

14 New Workers: Examples Example 1: The supervisor of a technical support group in a mediumsized accounting firm has just employed a technician who was transferred from head office. The technician has been with the company for six years but has only ever worked at head office. Is the technician a new worker?

15 New Workers: Examples Example 2: Caitlyn, a high school student, has been working at a tourism centre for the past three summers, as part of her city s summer student program. She plans to return to the tourism centre after graduating this year. Will Caitlyn be considered a new worker?

16 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Institute for Work and Health (IWH): Newness and the risk of occupational injury (2009) Several aspects of newness: Age New hires Recent immigrants

17 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Young Workers Across Canada, adolescent & young adult workers are more likely to be injured Why? Possible reasons: Age-related factors Inexperience Riskier jobs/gender

18 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Young Workers: Age-Related Factors Physiological changes: maturational changes in the brain, circulating pubertal hormones, etc. Exploratory nature (risk-taking) Impaired decision-making capabilities when in stressful situations Gaining social acceptance Short-term benefits vs. long-term consequences

19 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Young Workers: Inexperience Uninformed about their rights and responsibilities as workers Right to know, to participate, and to refuse Reluctance to ask questions/speak up about concerns I don t want my employer to think I m incompetent Sometimes it s do it or lose your job

20 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Young Workers: Employed in riskier jobs Research: Young males: higher rate of injury Employed in high-risk occupations Job characteristics appear to play a significant role in injury risk for this age group

21 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety New Hires All new hires regardless of age are at higher risk Workers on the job for less than one month had four times higher claims Why? Possibly due to lack of safety training

22 How Newness Impacts Workplace Safety Recent immigrants New to the country May face language barriers Possibly lacking in credentials and work experience New to their jobs More likely than Canadian-born workers to be in physically demanding occupations

23 Protecting Young and New Workers Three steps: Step 1: H&S Orientation Step 2: Job-specific safety training Step 3: Supervision & monitoring

24 Protecting Young and New Workers Video 1: The Curtis Zanussi Story * Video used with the permission of WorkSafeBC

25 Protecting Young and New Workers Video 1: The Curtis Zanussi Story Think of one way a young or new worker could get injured at your workplace. What factors might lead to such an injury? What role would orientation, training, and/or supervision play in the prevention of such an injury?

26 Step One: Orientation In New Brunswick, employers must provide new workers with a health and safety orientation Think about the orientation you are currently providing to your young and new workers Can you identify any areas for improvement?

27 New Worker Orientation Video 2: London Drugs * Video used with the permission of WorkSafeBC

28 New Worker Orientation Video 2: London Drugs What are some effective orientation strategies used by London Drugs? Checklist: open-ended questions Safety buddy/mentor Evaluation Which of these strategies would be appropriate for your young/new worker orientation program?

29 New Worker Orientation Video 2: London Drugs Consider the idea of involving parents in the orientation of young workers (under 25 years old) Benefits? Drawbacks?

30 New Worker Orientation Benefits of orientation: Make employees aware of hazards and hazard controls Reduce the risk of injuries and accidents Meet legislative requirements (due diligence!) Productivity balanced with safety & security Increases efficiency and confidence of new employee Creates a work safe culture

31 New Worker Orientation Orientation topics (min. requirement): 1) Employer/supervisor contact information 2) JHSC/H&S representative contact information 3) Employer and employee rights & responsibilities 4) H&S procedures and codes of practice 5) First aid

32 New Worker Orientation Orientation topics cont d: 6) Accident/injury reporting procedures 7) Emergency procedures and preparedness 8) Personal protective equipment (PPE) Other topics (examples): 1) Code of practice for working alone 2) WHMIS

33 New Worker Orientation Orientation strategies/methods: Classroom-style Videos Activities (spot the hazard) Workplace tours Etc. Always document this process! Keep records for at least 3 years

34 Orientation Resources at

35 Step Two: Training Legislation pertaining to training: Occupational Health and Safety Act 8.2 (2): The employer shall ensure that a new employee receives orientation and training specific to the new employee s position and place of employment before the new employee begins work You must train new workers for each and every task they will be performing

36 Training Young and New Workers Video 3: Seaspan International * Video used with the permission of WorkSafeBC

37 Training Young and New Workers Video 3: Seaspan International What are some hands-on training activities you could incorporate into your new worker training program?

38 Training Young and New Workers Tips: Break it down (chunking; checklists) Use plain language Consider different learning styles Visuals Hands-on activities Ensure they are comfortable with their tasks before moving on Don t forget to document

39 Step 3: Supervision and Monitoring Legislation pertaining to supervision: Occupational Health and Safety Act 9(2) (c.3): Every employer shall provide the supervision that is necessary to ensure an employee s health and safety Consider the unique needs of young/new workers

40 Supervision and Monitoring Video 4: Cascade Aerospace * Video used with the permission of WorkSafeBC

41 Supervision and Monitoring Video 4: Cascade Aerospace What are the advantages of using a buddy/mentoring system with young/new workers? Disadvantages?

42 Supervision and Monitoring Tips: Pair new workers up with more experienced workers when possible Seek feedback from mentors Check in with new workers often Assess their understanding Use results for future training Document, document, document!

43 Documentation/Records OHS Act 8.2(5) The employer shall keep records of the orientation and training of new employees for at least three years. Demonstrates due diligence Could include: Checklists Assessments (H&S quizzes, etc.) Statement of understanding signed by employee Log book of reminders and disciplinary action

44 Protecting Young and New Workers Key things to remember: Motivate This will be important for you to remember Tell and Show This is how you do it Test Now you try it Check How s everything going?

45 Protecting Young and New Workers Remember: With guidance and support, new workers can be a productive, valuable, and safe addition to your workplace YOU have the opportunity to develop a new worker training program that instills a safety culture at your workplace!

46 Resources

47 Unique Needs of Young and New Workers Questions?