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WorkSafeBC

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Top Seven Dangers for Young Workers

Lifting objects | Elevated levels | Knives | Hot substances/objects | Operating/working near mobile equipment | Food slicers | Working near running equipment/machinery

Working in Proximity of Running Equipment or Machinery

(Approximately 125 claims a year)

Young workers are at significant risk to injury as a result of getting "caught in" running equipment or machinery in a number of industries. Generally these injuries occur to labourers in wood and paper manufacturing, metal fabrication, food and beverage processing, and construction, as well as machine operators, material handlers, bakers and cooks. Half of these injuries involve conveyors, food and beverage processing machinery, sawing, drilling and milling machinery, and powered hand tools. While a variety of injuries can be inflicted, cuts, lacerations, and fractures are most common. One in 10 claims is a serious injury. In most cases, such serious injuries involve an amputation that has a long term, profound impact to the worker, usually requiring hospitalization and rehabilitation.

OHS Regulation
Part 3 Rights and Responsibilities:
    Sections 3.12-3.13: Refusal of Unsafe Work
Part 4 General Conditions:
    Section 4.3: Safe machinery and equipment
Part 8 Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
Part 10 De-energization and Lockout
Part 12 Tools, Machinery and Equipment
Part 27 Wood Products Manufacturing

Web Resource
Youth in agriculture - Machinery (OSHA)

updated Booklet
Lockout BK21 (PDF 2.4 MB) (Updated: September 2005)

Also available in the following languages:

Pamphlet
Chainsaw Safety (PDF 327KB)

Accident Alerts
Workers seriously injured in conveyor accidents
How to Prevent Caught-In-Machinery Accidents

Signs & Posters
Guarding
Lockout
Get Authority Before Operating
Keep Off Conveyor
Warning This Unit Operates Automatically
Don't stop there! PDF (142 KB)

Video
Lost Youth Video-Four stories of injured young workers

  • Full version Contains language that may be offensive to some, viewer discretion is advised.
  • Edited version Coarse language removed, but graphic scenes remain.
Lockout: a guide to safe work practices
Guarding

Young Worker Stories Print summaries of
Jennifer's Story (PDF 72 KB)
Michael's Story (PDF 25 KB)
Paul's Story (PDF 4 KB)
Chris' Story (PDF 21 KB)


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