Winnipeg - "Statistics in Manitoba on workplace health and safety among youth aged 15 to 24 is unacceptable. It is time to act and make real improvements." said Doug Sexsmith, President and CEO of the Workers' Compensation Board of Manitoba, launching a call to action across the province.

Statistics show that young workers are at risk in Manitoba. "The school year has come to a close and thousands of students are looking to find summer jobs," explained Sexsmith. "We have to act now to reverse the alarming trend and achieve real reduction in injuries to youth."

Sexsmith added that young workers run a greater risk of being injured in the workplace than any other age group. Workers aged 20 to 24 experienced 13 per cent of all injuries in 2001 but made up only 9.6 per cent of the workforce. As well, more than 50 per cent of work-related incidents happen during a young worker's first six months on the job.

Between now and 2007, approximately 23,000 thousand new jobs will be created in Manitoba and over 70% of them will require technical and vocational training. "When we discuss the health of young people," explained Sexsmith, "we talk about drug abuse and dangerous driving, but rarely work and the conditions that prevail in jobs held by young people."

In Manitoba, some business sectors are affected more by injuries among young workers. Among 15 to 24-year-olds, restaurants, retail trade industries, manufacturing (particularly door, window and furniture manufacturers) and meat processing carry the greatest risk. As among adults, more young men are likely to be victims of work-related accidents and death than young women.

"Many young people get their start in the labour market when they're students, working part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer," Sexsmith said. "More time needs to be spent on pointing out the hazards and explaining work procedures that will help avoid accidents that could affect them for the rest of their lives."

Although injuries are similar among all age groups, most incidents suffered by young people are due to objects that hit them or to poor body mechanics and positioning. Slips and falls are also a common cause of workplace injuries among all age groups.

The main injuries sustained by young people are sprains, strains and tears; bruises and contusions; cuts and lacerations, and fractures and burns. "Some young people suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives," Sexsmith said, "and that is unacceptable. We have to act and do it quickly to re-establish a high level of health and safety among all workers in general and young people in particular. Our goal must be to make this a generation with much improved safety consciousness."

Concerted efforts have to be made now and must involve all stakeholders in the workplace, government, employer associations, labour unions and trade associations as well as employers, workers, parents, educators and young people. "These young workers represent our future and we must work together to provide them the safe, healthy workplaces they are entitled to," Sexsmith said.

The Association of Workers' Compensation Board of Canada will meet to discuss this issue at a national Forum that will take place in Montreal in late October.


For more information and interviews:

Warren Preece
Director of Communications
WCB Manitoba
(204) 954-4113