Every year in Canada, summer students are seriously injured or killed in workplace incidents. New and young workers have 30% higher rates of injury than the general employee population. New and young workers . . .
1. Have little or no related experience on which to draw.
2. Are eager to impress.
3. Are not used to the pace of work.
4. Can be distracted by cell phones / texting / things on their minds.
5. Can be unwilling to ask questions.
6. Don’t know their rights as workers.
7. May feel invincible.
8. May lack the confidence to speak up.
9. Can be more the target of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment.
Having new and young workers on the job is a known workplace hazard. Employers should approach it as such. Conduct a formal hazard assessment, specifically on the topic of new and young workers. Then, establish the controls you need to protect your summer students, their coworkers, and everyone else in your workplaces.