1. Protecting Yourself: Workplace Safety

2. Don’t say it’ll never happen to you. . .
On average, almost 50 young workers are injured or killed on the job EVERY DAY in Ontario

3. Workplace Accidents Videos
Note- some of the following videos have graphic scenes. They are this way to portray a true representation of the situations.

5. Workplace accidents can happen at any job

6. Candace Carnahan’s Story
Safety wasn’t the first thing on Candace’s mind when she began her summer job at a paper mill. Tragically, however, in a near fatal episode, her foot became caught in a conveyor belt, dragging her helplessly until the machine could be stopped. During her third summer working at the Repap mill, at the tender age of 21, she took a short-cut across an unguarded conveyor belt which moved large rolls of paper - something she's seen many workers, summer students do before - and it changed her life forever. Her foot got caught, and after 20 minutes of excruciating pain, she was feed from the machine and taken to the Miramichi hospital. It was there she found out her lower left leg had to be amputated The catastrophe left her with an amputated leg. It almost claimed her life. Proper safety practices could have prevented this, and countless other tragedies, which affect thousands of young workers every year.

9. There are several questions we often ask ourselves about jobs:

10. How do I look?
What will my co-workers think of me?
Will I be able to keep the job?
How much money will I make?

11. Other issues you need to consider:
Will I be trained enough in order to do my job safely?
Am I able to recognize possible hazards?
Do I know my rights and responsibilities?
Could an accident disfigure me or cost me my life?

12. How do I know if my workplace is unsafe?

13. Some signs that a workplace may be unsafe. . .
Other employees are getting injured on the job
You work without direct supervision
You have not been trained properly
Equipment is unguarded or broken
Chemical containers aren’t labelled
Shortcuts are used to save time
Poor housekeeping or maintenance (slippery floors, frayed electrical cords)

14. How can I protect myself?

15. LEARN to do the job safely
THINK the job through. Know what to do when there is an injury or emergency situation
ASK questions. There are no stupid questions
GET HELP- especially if you have to lift something heavy
WEAR THE GEAR- find out what to wear to protect yourself, how to wear it and how to maintain it

16. INFORM your supervisor if you see anything unsafe that may hurt you or someone else
REPORT INJURIES- if you get hurt, it is your job to tell your supervisor
TALK to your family and friends about your job. They may know something you don’t know

17. Minimum Age Requirements for working in Ontario
14 years old
Establishments such as offices, stores, arenas, restaurant serving areas
15 years old
Factories (except logging), restaurant kitchens, warehouses
16 years old
Construction, surface mines , logging, mining plants
18 years old
Underground mines or working face of a surface mine, window cleaning

18. If you think your job is unsafe, do something about it!

19. By law, you have basic rights, including:
The Right to Know- about what hazards there are in your workplace and to know what to do to prevent injuries from them
The Right to Participate- in health and safety activities in your workplace without fear of discipline
The Right to Refuse- work that you reasonably believe to be dangerous to yourself or others

20. You also have responsibilities, which include:
Work Safely- use all machinery and equipment the way you were trained to
Report Hazards- if you know that the health and safety laws are not being followed, you must report it to your supervisor or employer
Use or Wear Protective Devices- don’t remove a guard or device designed to protect you. Wear your safety gear- it’s the law!

21. Where can you learn more? or
A $9 membership provides a standardized safety transcript for you to attach to your resume and gives 24/7 access to workplace safety resources