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Reader Panel - Safety - The Next Generation |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 14 February 2004 |
1. Are you, or is anyone else in your company?s safety department (or on your safety committee) under the age of 35?
Yes: 52 %
No: 67 %
2. How long have you worked in the field of occupational health and safety?
One year or less: 1 %
2-5 years: 11 %
6-10 years: 25 %
11-15 years: 25 %
16-20 years: 15 %
21-25 years: 13 %
26 years or longer: 11 %
3. In your opinion, is the next generation of workers likely to incur fewer workplace injuries than past generations of workers?
Yes: 66 %
No: 34 %
Comments from our survey respondents:
"A greater awareness of safety exists. Workers are more knowledgeable of safe work expectations. However, this familiarity is not totally beneficial if workers rely upon safeguards rather than think about the hazards."
"After interacting with the students out of our high schools and higher learning centres today, I find they still have no idea of the risks involved in the workplace. We need to teach serious h&s in the schools."
"As technology changes, so do the hazards. I believe the future will see hazards that we haven?t even dreamed of."
"Have not seen evidence that the next generation will be any different."
"Education about workplace health and safety may be improving. However, life skills and exposures are less, which means young workers have far less inherent knowledge about processes, tools and equipment."
4. Have you seen evidence of any of the following in your workplace?
• 67 percent of our respondents say there are fewer workplace injuries and illnesses than 10 or 20 years ago
• 71 percent say we have better safety professionals than in the past, thanks to formal post-secondary oh&s education programs
• 48 percent say we have better-informed workers, thanks to the Internet
• 25 percent say we have better-trained workers, thanks to computer-based courses
• 33 percent say we have more safety-savvy young workers, thanks to safety education at the high school level
• 50 percent say we have more safety-savvy young workers thanks to information campaigns geared to protecting young workers
• 68 percent say business owners, managers and supervisors are more compliant today because of stricter enforcement of safety legislation
• 33 percent say safety compliance is easier because of clearer legislation
• 60 percent say safety cooperation between labour, government and industry is better now than in the past
Other safety improvements in recent times:
• "Better, more comfortable personal protective equipment."
• "Safety as a business and moral requirement."
• "Joint health and safety workshops in the workplace."
• "Ergonomics are finally being recognized."
• "Knowledge of risks associated with chemical exposure."
• "More health and safety information and resources."
5. Other comments from our survey respondents:
"I am in the regulatory business and have seen good and bad employers in both the private and public sectors."
"Care must be taken to prevent employers from having to provide constant supervision of employees. Even well-trained workers have momentary lapses of concentration that result in injury."
"I feel that books such as Dr. Jean Stellman?s OEWork is Dangerous To Your Health? should be required reading in high schools, and the Ham Commission report required reading in all MBA courses and for all Ministers of Labour."
"When new workers come to your worksite, you have to imagine them as being just like your own children. How good would your safety program be if it were YOUR kids working there?"
"It is difficult to attract younger workers to the field of safety and to get their participation on safety committees."
"Over time, easy access to information may improve statistics."
"Workplaces are far safer. However, there are more illnesses, etc. accepted as work-related and there are more questionable claims which will skew the statistics."
"Because of better educated h&s committees, more safety-related items are being brought to the attention of ministers of labour for enforcement."
"Although I agree that safety is generally more pronounced that 25 years ago, we still have a long way to go.
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