BASIC LEGAL RIGHTS

Inform your kids that they have basic legal rights, including…

• The right to know about any hazards at their job and how to protect themselves.
• The right to participate in making sure their job and workplace are safe and healthy.
• The right to refuse unsafe work.  No one, not their boss, not their supervisor, can force them to do a job that is unsafe.

Work in a safe environment.

• Last year in Nova Scotia, over 3,600 young workers under the age of 25 reported a workplace injury.*
• On average, in 2010, 13 workers under 25 were seriously injured every week, requiring time off work.*
• In 2010, an average of 13 workers a week were injured seriously enough to be off work.*
• And Nova Scotia lost four young people in tragic and preventable workplace fatalities since 2006.*
  
  *Source: Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

Have received proper training.

• In a survey of young workers, 56% reported that they had not received any training before taking on a new task.*
  
  *Source: Industrial Accident Prevention Association

Will voice concerns to employers.

• Young workers are usually afraid to speak up.  They want to make a good impression and appear capable to their supervisors.  They are more likely to seek the advice or follow the example of experienced co-workers, even if the behaviour is unsafe.

General questions:

1. Are you tired at work?
2. What tasks do you normally perform at work?
3. Were safety orientation training and rules of the workplace provided?
4. Is there a supervisor in or near your work area?
5. Does your supervisor provide feedback, including information and advice on how to work safely?
6. Do you feel comfortable in reporting concerns to your supervisor?

More specific questions:

1. Does your job involve climbing or working at heights?
2. Do you lift and carry heavy objects?
3. Do you know the proper protective equipment to wear, and do you wear it?
4. Do you work with chemicals? Have you had the mandatory training to use them?
5. Do you work with any machinery, and have you received proper training for it?
6. Would you report any injury you receive to your supervisor immediately?

For help in answering the questions above and for more information, you can visit:

What is the Internal Responsibility System?

Reference Guide to the OH&S Act

Health & Safety Guide for New Retail Workers

Preventing Violence, Robbery and Theft

Which Labour Laws Apply to You?

Various OH&S Publications and Resources

Teach your kids their responsibilities at work, including…

• Work safely, always use machinery and equipment the way they were trained.
• Report hazards, including any suspected hazard or violations of Nova Scotia’s health and safety laws.
• Use or wear protective equipment, never remove guards or devices designed to protect them and always wear safety gear – it’s the law.