Did you know over 15% of all workplace injuries happen to young people like you?
In fact, every year, nearly 5,000 young workers aged 15 –
24 report injuries to the WCB.
If you are looking for or just starting your first job, one of
the first things to do is learn how to protect yourself.
Do you know how to work SAFE?
Spot the Hazard – Every job has its hazards. To spot them, you need training, awareness and experience. These three things can help you avoid injury and illness on the job.
Assess the Risk – A simple way to assess the risk is to ask yourself Am I trained for this? Can I get hurt? How can this hurt me? These answers help you decide if a risk is worth taking.
Find a Safer Way – To make a situation safer, look at ways you can eliminate risk, reduce risk or substitute an action, product or piece of equipment for something safer.
Everyday – It is law in Manitoba to be trained on workplace safety and health before you start your new job!
ALL MANITOBA WORKERS ARE ENTITLED TO PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND ILLNESS
The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation outlines what employers, supervisors and workers must do to ensure the safety of everyone on the job.
Employers are responsible for workplace training, developing a health and safety program and making sure workers understand and abide by it and the provincial safety and health regulations.
As a worker, your responsibilities include:
- following safety rules and safe work procedures
- making every effort to protect yourself and others
- reporting unsafe work.
By working together, everyone can help make work a safer place!
If you don't know – ASK.
There is no shame or harm in asking questions that will help you be more SAFE on the job.
4 RIGHTS CAN HELP PREVENT A WRONG
All workers have rights set out by The Workplace Safety and Health Act.
The Right to Know what hazards are in the workplace and how to prevent injuries from those hazards.
The Right to Participate in health and safety activities in the workplace without fear of discipline.
The Right to Refuse work you reasonably believe could be dangerous to yourself or others.
The Right to Protection from reprisal prevents the employer from disciplining or carrying out a reprisal against you if you try to protect yourself or another worker from unsafe conditions.
For more information, visit safemanitoba.com and search the young worker resources, including SAFE Work Bulletin #255 Safety Orientation.
BEFORE YOU WORK, ASK.
What are the hazards of my job?
What are the company's safety and health rules?
When will I receive training in job safety?
Is there a safety and health committee or a worker representative?
Do I need to wear safety gear?
When will I be shown how to use it?
When will I be trained in emergency procedures?
Where is emergency equipment located?
What do I do if I get hurt? Who is the first aid person? Is my workplace covered by Workers Compensation?
What are my safety and health responsibilities?
What do I do if I have any more safety-related questions?
While the answers to these questions may seem like a lot of information to handle, you will be better prepared to stay SAFE if you know how to protect yourself.
A printed brochure containing this content may be ordered free of charge. Please email information@safeworkmanitoba.ca for more information. Quantities are limited.