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WorkSafeBC

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Resources for Young Workers by Group - Young Workers


Young Workers | Employers & Supervisors | Unions | Educators | Parents | Youth & Community Groups


The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent young worker injuries and illnesses. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

If you have any questions please E-mail us at or phone 604-276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or toll-free in British Columbia at 1-888-621-7233 (621-SAFE).

2010 Student Video Safety Contest - How to Say "No" to Unsafe Work

Being able to talk about safety to your boss is very important. Many workplace injuries happen as a result of poor communication. If you are not sure about how to do any part of your job safely --- ask your supervisors. They will help you --- and respect you for asking. Remember if the task in your job is too dangerous or you were not trained on how to do it safely --- don't do it.

WorkSafeBC is inviting all BC students to submit creative safety videos into the 5th Annual Student Video Contest.

We welcome students' original productions - video clips and animations. For the first time this year, we are also inviting students to submit a video mashup. To create a mashup you can use any WorkSafeBC video and combine it with your original audio or original video footage. For the complete list of WorkSafeBC videos go to the Multimedia/Video section of the WorkSafeBC website:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=35133

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 15, 2010.

For more details see Contest Rules (PDF 174 KB) and Entry Form (PDF 177 KB)

Download the Video Contest Poster (PDF 3.7 MB)

2010 Contest Sponsors:

logos for contest sponsors: Washington Marine Group, London Drugs, Ledcor Group, Peter Kiewit Sons Co., SHAPE, Reel Youth, and WorkSafeBC,

2009 Contest Winners
2008 Contest Winners
2007 Contest Winners
2006 Contest Winners

Getting a Job? Ask Questions about Safety

thumbnail of cover

Pamphlet created with the help from members of the Young Worker Advisory Group, this simple document provides young and new workers with useful tips on how to address concerns about safety in the workplace.
* PDF 3.3 MB

Also available in the following languages:
 正在找寻工作 (Simplified Chinese, PDF 3.5 MB)
 正在找尋工作 (Traditional Chinese, PDF 3.5 MB)
 ਕੰਮ ਲੱਭਣਾ (Punjabi, PDF 3.3 MB)
 ¿Buscas un Nuevo Trabajo? (Spanish, PDF 3.2 MB)
 Có việc làm (Vietnamese, PDF 3.3 MB)


Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Be a Survivor Magazine

New Version of this full colour 8-page magazine features useful tips and articles on young worker safety. It's a great resource for youth and anyone who comes into contact with youth such as parents, educators, employers, labour and community groups.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (167 KB)
* Available in print format from Publications, Videos and Forms Distributions.

The Rights and Responsibilities Program

The Rights and Responsibilities Program is a self-paced, interactive, curriculum-based program that helps new and young workers understand their health and safety rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

The program builds on the work done in Student WorkSafe Planning 10, and directly supports prescribed and elective curricula at the grade 11-12 level.

It's designed for three primary audiences:

  • New workers, including student workers
  • Teachers facilitating work experience programs for students
  • Employers and supervisors

Young Worker Videos

video jacket cover Lost Youth Video-Four Stories of Injured Young Workers

Michael, Jennifer, John, and Nick all speak of losing their youth after suffering serious workplace accidents. Through dramatic recreations of these accidents and one-on-one discussions with the young people and their parents. Lost Youth tells four stories of lives forever altered.

video jacket cover The Supervisor
This video is a documentary-drama that examines issues related to supervisor responsibility for workplace health and safety. The video graphically depicts the emotional, legal, and financial consequences of a fictionalized workplace accident that leads to the death of a young worker.

Joe Who?
Young workers are often hard to reach, especially when it comes to workplace safety. Joe Who? is a valuable tool, giving young people a voice to speak to each other about the tragic consequences of workplace injuries, The play was written and performed by students from Matthew McNair Secondary School in Richmond. It offers a unique perspective on the challenges experienced by young workers in B.C.

video jacket coverThe Workplace: Youth at Risk (2005)
A video featuring the dramatic stories of five injured young workers and their parents whose lives have been forever altered by a workplace accident. This updated version features a new introduction by Dave Anderson, WorkSafeBC President and CEO, as well as some new footage of Lauren Barwick, a dressage rider paralyzed in a workplace accident. The video was produced jointly by Shaw Cablesystems and WorkSafeBC.

  • Order a copy of the video.

3 Steps to Effective Worker Education and Training BK42 updated publication

Designed for employers and supervisors, this guide offers a three-step framework based on orientation, education, and training new and young workers to be safe on the job.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1.1 MB) Updated May 2008
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Your Road to Recovery and Beyond: A guide for seriously injured workers and their families

Provides information on WorkSafeBC benefits that might be available to workers who were seriously injured on the job and to their families. Also includes information on access to resources outside WorkSafeBC and statements from seriously injured workers, including one young worker. The printed book is made available to workers identified as seriously injured.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
PDF (670 KB)

Health & Safety Guide for New Retail Workers

"The Guide has important information for people who are thinking about a new job in the retail industry or who are just getting into the workforce. It focuses on what you need to know to have a safe and healthy work experience, and discusses your rights and responsibilities around health and safety on the job."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC and the BC Retailers Association
* PDF (460 KB)

Youth Leader Toolkit

Grade 10, 11 and 12 students: Looking for a way to earn Graduation Portfolio credits? WorkSafeBC has a tool to help you.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1 MB)

Effective Safety and Health Programs: The Key to a Safe Workplace and Defence of Due Diligence PH33

This guide contains important information for employers, supervisors, and workers who must ensure that their occupational health and safety programs meet WorkSafeBC standards.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (142 KB)
Updated: October 2008
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Safety on the Job is Everyone's Business: The Responsibilities of Employers, Supervisors and Workers

All new workers need training in equipment use and safe work procedures. This pamphlet covers the basics in training new workers. Employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities for developing and maintaining a safe workplace are outlined.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (120 KB)

Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs BK4

An illustrated handbook that explains how the back works, provides tips for avoiding injury, and shows how to care for the back during recovery. The booklet also covers situations that can cause excessive loads and describes ways to reduce the risk of injury.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (621 KB)
Updated: April 2007
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Ergonomics for Schoolchildren and Young Workers

This resource provides important information for preventing injuries from lifting or awkward postures or carrying heavy loads. Also many resources and web links are included.
Source: Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries
* PDF (156 KB).

Young Workers in the Film Industry

Two articles from SHAPE newsletter titled; Young Workers in the Film Industry and Hearing Loss in Young Workers in Performing Arts Industries & Film Production.
Source: Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment (SHAPE)Newsletter, June 2003
* PDF (81 KB)

Preventing Tree Planting Injuries

This booklet provides information on ways to prevent tree planting injuries by using good planting techniques, maintaining good physical fitness, and choosing an appropriate shovel.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (433 KB)
* Also available in French.

WHMIS at Work

This booklet contains general information about WHMIS -- the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It describes the three main elements of WHMIS (WHMIS labels, MSDSs, and WHMIS education and training programs) and outlines the responsibilities of suppliers, employers, and workers for these elements. It also offers useful information about the kinds of hazards and chemical characteristics of products covered by WHMIS, and two checklists, one on implementing a WHMIS program and the other on WHMIS education and training for workers.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (928 KB)
Updated: November 2005
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Workers' Advisers Office

http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/wab/
Workers' Advisers are appointed under Section 94 of the Workers Compensation Act to advise and assist clients in regards to Workers' Compensation Board benefits, policies, and the interpretation of the Act. Clients include injured workers who have WorkSafeBC claims, their dependents, professional associations, union representatives, and injured workers' associations. Advisers meet with senior WorkSafeBC officials to resolve claims issues and avoid unnecessary appeals and make recommendations to the senior executive committee and Panel of Administrators on matters of policy and practice.

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