New summer job? Awesome.

Of course they hired you – you are smart and a great worker.

But did you know that the first few weeks on a new job are the most dangerous? In fact, young people starting a new job are five times more likely to get hurt than someone who has been on the job for a year or more.

Don’t find this out the hard way. Last year, nearly 4,000 young Nova Scotians were injured on the job. You don’t want to be one of them this year. 

You are the boss of your own safety. Make sure you get safety training. Use the safety equipment that is provided. Don’t take dangerous shortcuts. 

The biggest safety tool of all is your voice. Speak up. Ask questions if something looks dangerous or you don’t know how to do it safely. And you can refuse to do something dangerous – that is the law. 

There are so many ways to stay safe.

Don’t forget, your boss wants you to be safe, so you are helping them out when you speak up about safety.