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Statistics for Young Workers
General Statistics
Young Worker Injury Rates 1995-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Young Worker Serious Injuries by Sector 2001-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
The top seven dangers to young workers.
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Total Young Worker Serious Injuries 2001-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
The top seven dangers to young workers.
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Young Worker Serious Injuries - Manufacturing 2001-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
The top seven dangers to young workers.
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Young Worker Serious Injuries - Construction 2001-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
The top seven dangers to young workers.
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Young Worker Serious Injuries - Service Sector 2001-2006
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
The top seven dangers to young workers.
See Terms of Reference for definitions of terms used.
Agriculture Claims Overview (2001-2005)
Total number of claims 2001-2005 = 739
Struck by object accidents
(Total number of claims = 177)
From 2001-2005, 24 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the agriculture industry involved being struck by things such as
- animals
- cutting handtools
- cart, dolly and handtrucks
The most common injury outcomes from being struck by objects are
- cuts
- lacerations
- bruises
- contusions
- sprains
- strains
- tears and fractures
Young people employed as nursery and greenhouse workers, and general farm workers experience the most struck by object accidents.
Overexertion accidents
(Total number of claims = 123)
Overexertion accidents accounted for 17 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the agriculture industry from 2001 to 2005.
The typical overexertion accident is related to moving or lifting such objects as
- boxes
- crates
- trees and logs
- repetitive motion
Overexertion accidents most often result in
- sprains
- strains
- tears
Young workers employed as nursery and greenhouse workers, and general farm workers experienced the most overexertion accidents.
Fall from elevation accidents
(Total number of claims = 112)
From 2001-2005, 15 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the agriculture industry were for falls from elevations such as
- upper levels
- ladders
- vehicles
Injuries such as sprains, strains, tears, fractures, bruises, and contusions are the most common results of falls from elevations.
Young workers employed as nursery and greenhouse workers, general farm workers and harvesting labourers experienced the most fall from elevation accidents.
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
Construction Claims Overview (2001-2005)
Total number of claims 2001-2005 = 6,403
Struck by object accidents
(Total number of claims = 1,869)
From 2001-2005, 29 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the construction industry involved being struck by objects such as
- falling wood
- flying nails, brads, and tacks
- knives
- hammers
The most common injury outcomes from being struck by objects are
- cuts
- lacerations
- bruises
- contusions
- punctures
- fractures
Young people employed as construction helpers and labourers and carpenter helper and apprentices experience the most struck by object accidents.
Overexertion accidents
(Total number of claims = 1,238)
Overexertion accidents accounted for 19 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the construction industry from 2001 to 2005. The typical overexertion accident is related to moving or lifting such objects as
- boxes
- crates
- plywood
- wood panels
Overexertion accidents most often result in
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- hernias
- dislocations
Young workers employed as construction helpers and labourers experienced the most overexertion accidents.
Fall from elevation accidents
(Total number of claims = 961)
From 2001-2005, 15 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the construction industry were falls from elevations such as
- ladders
- scaffolds
- staging platforms
- roofs
- stairs
- vehicles
Falls from elevations result in such injuries as
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- fractures
- bruises
- contusions
Young workers employed as construction helpers and labourers experienced the most fall from elevation accidents.
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
Forestry Claims Overview (2001-2005)
Total number of claims 2001-2005 = 1,173
Struck by object accidents
(Total number of claims = 273)
From 2001-2005, 23 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the forestry industry involved being struck by objects such as
- falling/rolling trees or logs
- cutting handtools
The most common injury outcomes from being struck by objects are cuts, lacerations, bruises, contusions, and fractures.
Young people employed as logging and forestry labourers, chokerman, slashers, brushers, swampers, and fallers experience the most struck by object accidents.
Fall on same level accidents
(Total number of claims = 168)
Fall on same level accidents accounted for 14 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the forestry industry from 2001 to 2005.
The typical fall on same level accidents involve
- falls to floors
- falls on or against trees or logs
Fall on same level accidents most often result in
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- contusions
- cuts
- lacerations
- fractures
Young workers employed as tree planters, logging and forestry labourers, chokerman, slashers, brushers, and swampers experienced the most fall on same level accidents.
Fall from elevation accidents
(Total number of claims = 155)
From 2001-2005, 13 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the forestry industry were falls to floors, and falls from or against trees or logs.
Fall from elevation accidents result in such injuries as
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- fractures
Young workers employed as tree planters, logging and forestry labourers, and chokerman experienced the most fall from elevation accidents.
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
Manufacturing Claims Overview (2001-2005)
Total number of claims 2001-2005 = 10,146
Struck by object accidents
(Total number of claims = 2,771)
From 2001-2005, 27 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the manufacturing industry involved being struck by objects such as
- building materials
- handtools
- fasteners
- connectors
- ropes
- ties
The most common injury outcomes from being struck by objects are
- cuts
- lacerations
- bruises
- contusions
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- punctures
- fractures
Young people employed as wood and sawmill workers, metal product workers and welders experience the most struck by object accidents.
Overexertion accidents
(Total number of claims = 2,491)
Overexertion accidents accounted for 25 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the manufacturing industry from 2001 to 2005.
The typical overexertion accident is related to moving or lifting such objects as building materials and containers.
Overexertion accidents most often result in
- sprains
- strains
- tears
Young workers employed as wood and sawmill workers experienced the most overexertion accidents.
Caught in machinery and material accidents
(Total number of claims = 1,112)
From 2001-2005, 11 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the manufacturing industry were related to being caught in machinery and materials.
Getting caught in machinery and materials results in such injuries as
- cuts
- lacerations
- fractures
- amputations
- avulsions
Young workers employed as sawmill and wood workers experienced the most caught in accidents.
Data Source: WorkSafeBC Statistical Services
Restaurants Claims Overview (2001-2005)
Total number of claims 2001-2005 = 6,266
Knives and Food Slicers Related Injuries
(Total number of claims = 1,416)
From 2001-2005, 23 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the restaurant industry involved knives and food slicers.
The typical knife-related accident is caused by being struck by a knife and in one-third of the cases, being struck by slipping knives.
The typical food slicer-related accident is caused by striking against a food slicer and in about half of these cases young workers were struck by food slicers that were moving.
The majority of knife and food slicer accidents result in cuts and lacerations.
The occupations most at risk for knife and food slicer accidents are
- cooks
- grillers
- kitchen/service helpers
Contact with Hot Objects
(Total number of claims, 2001-2005 = 1,240)
From 2001-2005, 20 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the restaurant industry involved contact with hot objects or substances such as
- oil or fat
- water
- ranges
- ovens
- grills
- beverages
- pots and pans
Accidents involving contact with hot objects or substances result in burns and scalds.
The occupations most at risk for contact with hot object accidents are- cooks
- grillers
- food preparers
- kitchen/service helpers
Fall on Same Level
(Total number of claims, 2001-2005 = 1,077)
From 2001-2005, 17 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the restaurant industry involved falls on- floors
- counters
- dishes
- boxes
- tables
Falls on floors accounted for about three-quarters of these accidents.
Falls on the same level accidents result in
- sprains
- strains
- tears
- bruises
- contusions
The occupations most at risk for falls on the same level were food preparers, waiters/waitresses, and kitchen/service helpers.
Overexertion
(Total number of claims, 2001-2005 = 611)
From 2001-2005, 10 percent of all time-loss claims to young workers in the restaurant industry involved overexertion types of accidents. These types of accidents occur from lifting or moving
- boxes
- crates
- cartons
- pots
- pans
- trays
Sprains, strains, and tears are the most common injury resulting from overexertion accidents.
The occupations most at risk from overexertion accidents are
- food preparers
- cooks
- grillers
- kitchen/service helpers
- waiters and waitresses