MINISTRY OF LABOUR BLITZ - New and Young Workers
DATE: 2009-05-20
In line with the Ministry of Labour - Industrial Program approach of targeted provincial blitz, please be aware of a blitz on New and Young workers.
There are two focus groups in this blitz. The first group is the new young worker 14-24 and the second group is the new older workers >25 that has been on the job less than 6 months or reassigned to a new job.
Any new hire-permanent or temporary, including supervisors, with or without experience in the industry and any current workers who are assigned new jobs are at risk.
According to WSIB statistics the years 2003 to 2007: Young workers sustained 61,424 allowed lost time claims with workers 15-19 years of age accounting for 30% (18,130) and workers 20-24 years of age accounting for 70% (43,294).
Generally the blitz is to last for a period of one month in June 2009. Though the main focus for the blitz is on hazards associated with these services, manufacturing, logging sectors and extended workplaces. Focus areas are training and orientation, supervision, minimum age, personal protective equipment. The inspectors should also be aware of other hazards such guarding electrical hazards, ergonomics and falls, etc. The inspectors should be insuring that Health and Safety Representatives or Joint Health and Safety Committees are in place where appropriate and that they are functioning as required.
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Thank you for your assistance and continued focus that improves safety on a daily basis for the workers of Ontario and members of ORFA.