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WorkSafeBC

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Statistics for Young Workers


General Statistics | Statistics by Industry | Statistics by Region

A snapshot of young worker injuries

video

This video is part of the Young Worker Focus Report.
(2 min 13 sec)

Also, see When young workers are seriously injured (1 min 46 sec) and When young workers are killed (3 min 13 sec)

View the entire report in HTML


General Statistics

Injury Rate Comparison 2007 - 2011

Chart comparing the Injury rate for male young workers, female young workers and the overall injury rate.

Year Males 15-24 Females 15-24 All Ages 15-24 All Workers
Overall injury rate
2007 4.9 1.9 3.5 3.1
2008 4.6 1.8 3.2 3.0
2009 3.2 1.3 2.2 2.3
2010 3.0 1.2 2.1 2.3
2011 3.2 1.3 2.2 2.3

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Young Worker Employment 2007-2011

Bar chart representing young worker employment

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Employment 355,100 359,900 330,200 322,400 322,400

  • Based on Labour Force Survey Data. Table 282-0008 Labour Force Survey estimates (LFT), by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), sex and age group.
  • Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Young Worker Claims 2007-2011

Bar chart representing young worker claims

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Claims 11,367 10,533 6,844 6,227 6,592

Only claims in rateable sectors are counted in the graph above.

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Young Worker Claims by Industry 2007-2011

Pie chart representing young worker claims by industry

Industry STD/LTD/Fatal Claims
Service Sector 33%
Construction 21%
Trade 21%
Manufacturing 14%
Transportation and Warehousing 5%
Primary Resources 4%
Public Sector 2%

Only rateable sectors are displayed.

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

The top seven dangers to young workers.

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Total Young Worker Serious Injuries 2007-2011

Bar chart representing  serious injuries for young workers

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Number of Serious Injuries 2,367 2,210 1,582 1,479 1,570

Only claims in rateable sectors are counted in the graph above.

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

The top seven dangers to young workers.

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Total Young Worker Serious Injuries by Industry 2007-2011

Pie chart representing  serious injuries for young workers by industry

Industry Number of Serious Injuries
Service Sector 28%
Construction 26%
Trade 19%
Manufacturing 14%
Transportation and Warehousing 6%
Primary Resources 5%
Public Sector 2%

Only rateable sectors are displayed.

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

The top seven dangers to young workers.

See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.

Claims Overview by Industry

Manufacturing | Retail | Construction | Hospitality | Transportation | Forestry | Agriculture

Manufacturing Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 5,962

Manufacturing workers accounted for 14% of all young worker claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Struck by
(1,631/27%)
cutting handtools

wood, lumber

structural metal materials

fasteners

striking and nailing handtools
cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

fractures

punctures

sprains, strains, tears
labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

labourers in metal fabrication

welders and soldering machine operators
       
Overexertion (1,512/25%) wood, lumber

boxes, crates, cartons

structural metal materials
sprains, strains, tears labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

labourers in metal fabrication

material handlers
       
Caught in
(589/10%)
wood, lumber

conveyors - powered

presses

structural metal materials

boring, drilling, planing, milling machinery
crushing injuries

cuts, lacerations

fractures

bruises, contusions
labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

labourers in metal fabrication

welders and soldering machine operators



Retail Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 7,621

Retail workers accounted for 18% of all young worker time-loss claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Overexertion
(2,783/37%)
boxes, crates, cartons

bags, sacks, totes

cart, dolly, handtruck
sprains, strains, tears retail salesperson and sales clerk

grocery clerks and shelf stockers

material handlers
       
Struck by (1,707/22%) cutting hand tools

boxes, crates, cartons

skids, pallets

cart, dolly, handtruck
cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

sprains, strains, tears
retail salesperson and sales clerk

grocery clerks and shelf stockers

material handlers
       
Caught in
(750/10%)
food and beverage processing machinery

shelving

sawing machinery
cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

sprains, strains, tears
retail salesperson and sales clerk

grocery clerks and shelf stockers

material handlers



Construction Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 8,928

Construction workers accounted for 21% of all young worker claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Struck by
(2,528/28%)
fasteners

cutting handtools

wood lumber

striking and nailing handtools
cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

punctures

fractures
construction helpers and labourers

carpenters

plumbers
       
Overexertion (1,909/21%) wood, lumber

structural metal materials

pipes, ducts, tubing

digging handtools
sprains, strains, tears construction helpers and labourers

carpenters

plumbers
       
Fall from elevation
(589/10%)
fall from ladders

fall from scaffolds, staging, platforms

fall down stairs or steps

fall from roofs

jump/step from non-moving vehicle
sprains, strains, tears

fractures

bruises, contusions
construction helpers and labourers

carpenters

roofers and shinglers



Hospitality Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 7,472

Hospitality workers accounted for 18% of all young worker claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Struck by
(2,056/28%)
cutting handtools

drinking cups, beverage glasses

boxes, crates, cartons

doors
cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

sprains, strains, tears

avulsions
cooks, kitchen/service helpers

counter attendants and food preparers

food and beverage servers
       
Fall on same level (1,120/15%) fall onto floors, walkways, or other surface

fall onto or against objects
sprains, strains, tears

bruises, contusions

fractures

cuts, lacerations
food and beverage servers

counter attendants and food preparers

kitchen/service helpers
       
Exposure to heat, cold
(1,105/15%)
fresh or processed food products

liquids

beverages

heating and cooking machinery and appliances

pots, pans, and trays
heat burns and scalds cooks, fast food preparers

kitchen/service helpers

food/beverage servers



Transportation and Warehousing Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 1,989

Transportation workers accounted for 5% of all young worker claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Overexertion
(629/32%)
boxes, crates, cartons

luggage, handbags

bags, sacks, totes
sprains, strains, tears
material handlers

air transport ramp attendants

railway and motor transport labourers
       
Struck by (363/18%) boxes, crates, cartons

trucks

skids, pallets

structural metal materials
bruises, contusions

sprains, strains, tears

cuts, lacerations

fractures
material handlers

air transport ramp attendants

truck drivers
       
Fall from elevation
(183/9%)
fails or jumps from non-moving vehicles

falls or jumps to lower levels

falls from ladder
sprain, strains, tears

fractures

bruises, contusions
material handlers

truck drivers

air transport ramp attendants



Forestry Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 497

Forestry workers accounted for 1% of all young worker claims.

Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Struck by
(94/19%)
falling/rolling trees or logs

cutting handtools

ropers, ties
fractures

cuts, lacerations

bruises, contusions

abrasions, scratches
logging and forestry labourers

chainsaw and skidder operators

silviculture and forestry workers

logging machinery operators
       
Fall on same level
(81/16%)
falls onto or against objects

falls to floor, walkway, or other surface
sprains, strains, tears

bruises, contusions

fractures

cuts, lacerations
logging and forestry labourers

silviculture and forestry workers

chainsaw and skidder operators
       
Overexertion
(75/15%)
trees, logs

digging handtools

ropers and ties
sprain, strains, tears

traumatic inflammation of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints

dislocations
logging and forestry labourers

silviculture and forestry workers

logging machinery operators



Agriculture Claims Overview (2007-2011)

Total number of claims 2007-2011 = 449

Agriculture workers accounted for 1% of all young worker claims.
Top 3 Accident Types

Top 3 Accident Types

Particular Source of Injury Particular Nature of Injury Particular Worker Occupation
(# of Claims / % of Total Young Worker Claims)
       
Struck by
(126/28%)
animals

cutting handtools

cart, dolly and handtrucks

other building materials
bruises, contusions

cuts, lacerations

fractures

sprains, strains, tears
general farm workers

nursery and greenhouse workers

farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
       
Overexertion
(70/16%)
boxes, crates, cartons

skids, pallets

trees and logs
sprains, strains, tears nursery and greenhouse worker

general farm workers
       
Fall from elevation
(81/16%)
falls from ladders

fall from upper levels

fall from non-moving vehicles
sprain, strains, tears

fractures

bruises, and contusions
general farm workers

harvesting labourers

nursery and greenhouse workers

Data Source: WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

Notes and Definitions

Counts and percentages are based on STD, LTD, Fatal Counts: SLF Claims represent claims with a first short-term disability, long-term disability or fatal benefit (reserve set or cash award) paid in the period, regardless of the year of injury.

Young Workers: Workers who are aged 15-24 at the time of injury.

Industry Sector/Subsector
Agriculture Subsector 7010
Construction Sector 72
Forestry Subsector 7030
Hospitality Subsector 7610
Manufacturing Sector 71
Retail Subsector 7410
Transportation and Warehousing Sector 73

Data Source - WorkSafeBC Business Information & Analysis

Fact Sheets by Geographic Region

Click on the links below for young worker fact sheets by geographic region. View the Fact Sheet for the entire province of British Columbia PDF 83 KB.

  • Fraser Valley (Surrey and Abbotsford) (PDF 48 KB)
  • Interior (Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson) (PDF 49 KB)
  • Lower Mainland (Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Shore, Richmond/Vancouver/Delta) (PDF 49 KB)
  • North Region (Fort St. John, Prince George, Terrace) (PDF 47 KB)
  • Vancouver Island (Courtenay, Nanaimo, Victoria) (PDF 48 KB)

Statistics: WorkSafeBC Terms of Reference

# Serious Injury Claims: The number of claims with a first Short Term Disability (STD), Long Term Disability (LTD), or Fatal payment in the month of injury or the three months following the month of injury AND where at least one of the following is met: (a) long duration (wage-loss in the period of 28 or more days); (b) high health-care costs (costs in the period equivalent to 28 or more days of wage-loss); (c) fatality (fatal benefit payment in the period); (d) serious medical diagnosis (one of 275 selected ICD9 codes).

# STD/LTD/Fatal Claims: The number of claims with costs related to at least one of the following benefits types: short-term disability benefits (STD), long-term disability benefits (LTD), or survivor benefits (Fatal) and where the first STD/LTD/Fatal payment date is within the year.

Injury Rate: The number of non-health care only claims per one hundred person-years of covered employment, where one hundred person-years is the equivalent of one hundred full-time   part-time employees working in the year. Because of the way employment data from Statistics Canada and WorkSafeBC person years are combined, person years by age-gender group are approximate.

Non-HCO claims: The number of claims with costs related to at least one of the following benefits types: short-term disability benefits (STD), long-term disability benefits (LTD), or survivor (Fatal) benefits and where the first STD/LTD/Fatal payment date is within the year of injury or the three months following the year of injury.

Young Workers: Workers who are aged 15-24 at the time of injury.

Rateable Sectors: Sectors 70 - 76.



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