Ontario summer inspection blitz targets new, young workers

For the eighth year in a row, Ontario will focus on the safety of new and young workers this summer during a four-month enforcement blitz across the province.
New and young workers are three times more likely to be injured during their first month of work than at any other time. Between 2009 and 2013, 30 young workers aged 15 to 24 died in work-related incidents in Ontario and more than 30,000 received injuries resulting in lost time at work.

“Workplace incidents continue to kill and critically injure new and young workers, and that is simply unacceptable. Our sons and daughters deserve to come home safe after a hard day’s work," said Kevin Flynn, minister of labour. "That’s why we’re committed to eliminating workplace tragedies by ensuring all workers know their rights and responsibilities and employers across the province are following the rules.”

From May to August, Ministry of Labour inspectors will check that employers are complying with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. This will include checking that new and young workers:
•are properly informed, instructed and supervised on the job
•meet minimum age requirements
•follow required safety measures and procedures to prevent injuries.

?Inspectors will focus on industrial sector workplaces such as tourism, hospitality and recreation where many new and young workers are employed.