2010 - 2013 - A strategic plan for young workers

A STRATEGIC PLAN

FOR YOUNG WORKERS 2010-2013

www.whscc.nl.ca

FACT A young worker is defined as a person between the ages of 15 and 24.

In Newfoundland and Labrador young workers are employed in each of the 12 established industry sectors. The number of young people employed in the province fluctuates throughout the year, with peak employment during the summer months.

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FACT Almost everyone enters the labour market as a young worker.

Young people are new workers, entering the workforce for the first time or holding temporary jobs. These jobs are typically low-paid, low-skilled and are known to be associated with higher levels of stress relating to poor income, a lack of security and a lack of job satisfaction.

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FACT Approximately half of the accidents involving 15 to 24-year-olds happen during the first six months of being employed in a new job.

Young adult workers often perform more physically demanding work than adults and encounter more unsafe work conditions or hazards than older workers, such as repetitive work, heavy loads, and work with tools and machinery. The majority of work-related injuries among teens occur when there is no supervisor present.

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FACT Young workers lack awareness about workplace health and safety and their rights.

Many young workers are not aware of their health and safety rights, particularly the right to refuse unsafe work, and ultimately may lack the ability or confidence to assert these rights.

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FACT Young workers do not always receive training and when they do, it is often a videotape.

In 2007, research conducted at the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) indicated that only around one in five new workers nationally reported having received any orientation, health and safety training or equipment training in the first year of their job. Temporary or seasonal workers may be particularly unlikely to receive adequate training.

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FACT Young workers are seldom conscious of the risk of workplace injury.

Research findings indicate that safety is not regarded as a priority issue by young workers. Some workplace environments have a risktaking culture, and young workers especially may put themselves into dangerous situations due to peer pressure or the need to be accepted by co-workers.

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CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................1 What's Happening ......................................................3 school age population ...............................................4 schools ......................................................................4 school districts ...........................................................5 distance education .....................................................5 health and safety-related curriculum .........................6 post-secondary ..........................................................8 young worker employment ........................................8 injury data ..................................................................8 What Needs to Happen ..............................................9 education and awareness ..........................................11 training .......................................................................11 workplace environment, controls and legislation ......11 gaps in current practice ..............................................12 providers of health and safety initiatives ...................12 target audiences ........................................................13 delivery methods and style ........................................14 evaluation ..................................................................15 Influencing It Happening .............................................17 SWOT analysis ............................................................19 strengths ....................................................................19 weakness ....................................................................19 opportunities .............................................................20 threats ........................................................................20

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CONTENTS

(cont’d)

Making It Happen .......................................................21 preventing work injuries and illnesses .......................23 the plan ......................................................................23 educators ...............................................................23 2010 activities and timelines .................................23 2011 activities and timelines .................................24 2012 activities and timelines .................................25 2013 activities and timelines .................................25 youth ......................................................................26 2010 activities and timelines .................................26 2011 activities and timelines .................................26 2012 activities and timelines ..................................27 2013 activities and timelines .................................27 employers ..............................................................27 2010 activities and timelines .................................27 2011 activities and timelines .................................28 2012 activities and timelines .................................28 2013 activities and timelines .................................28 parents ..................................................................29 2010 activities and timelines .................................29 2011 activities and timelines .................................29 2012 activities and timelines .................................29 2013 activities and timelines .................................30 References ..................................................................31

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2010 - 2013

INTRODUCTION

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T

he Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission's (the Commission) vision is one of safe and healthy workplaces within a viable and sustainable insurance system. The Commission strives to reduce the impact of workplace injuries by providing the highest level of service to workers and employers. The Commission's goal is to foster a culture of safety in Newfoundland and Labrador where workplace accidents are unacceptable, particularly with young workers.

Young people are the workforce of the future, and they have unique health and safety challenges. There are a range of factors that impact their well-being in the workplace, including unsafe working conditions and job-related factors such as heavy workloads, long working hours and inadequate training. They are also impacted by a lack of awareness of their rights and responsibilities and a lack of attention to safety, on the part of young workers.

The Commission is committed to making Newfoundland and Labrador workplaces safer.

Targeting young workers through prevention education activities is one way of working towards transforming attitudes and behaviours related to safety. This strategic plan for young workers focuses on how to best accomplish this, and is based on research findings and other information that contribute to an understanding of how to improve the health and safety of young workers. The plan explores what is contributing to the education of youth in this province and examines what needs to happen to improve workplace health and safety among young adults. It includes a SWOT analysis to assess existing strengths and weaknesses in relation to external opportunities and threats which influence the development of the strategy, identification of key priorities and areas for service delivery.

Finally, it presents a three-year plan designed to foster a culture of safety in Newfoundland and Labrador, where workplace accidents are unacceptable, particularly with young workers.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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There are many factors and initiatives contributing to the education of youth in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Department of Education conducts annual comprehensive analysis of several indicators pertaining to school demographics. Some of this information as well as current initiatives are summarized below.

School Age Population Enrolment in the province's schools has been steadily declining since peaking at 162,818 students in 1972/73.

Between the school years 2002/03 and 2007/08, provincial enrolment decreased by approximately 3.0% each year.

This decline is projected to continue into the future. In 2007/2008, there were 72,084 students enrolled in school.

The decline in enrolment is attributed to the diminishing population in Newfoundland and Labrador with decreasing numbers of young families living in the province, and a subsequent decline in the number of births.

However, according to recent statistics released by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information, this declining trend has ended, evidenced in 2008, where there were 300 more babies born than the previous year (an increase of 3%). With the provincial population appearing to be entering a period of growth and expansion, these enrolment projections may change.

The enrolment in all schools is as follows: S primary (any combination of K-3 or K-4 with no higher grades) – 2,959 S elementary (K-6 or K-9 or any combination of this range) – 28,605 S intermediate (usually K-9, but can vary 1-2 grades above or below, e.g., 6-9 or 8-10) – 8,950 S all grade (schools with all grades or combination of grades across primary, elementary, intermediate and high school range) – 11,177 S high (any combination on the 7-12 or 6-12 range) – 7,288 S senior high (grade configurations of 9-12 or 10-12) – 13,105 Enrolment (private schools) – 608 Students being home-schooled – 114

Schools The number of schools in the province has steadily declined since peaking at 1,253 in 1960. In 2007/08, 292 schools operated in Newfoundland and Labrador. Virtually all, 280 (95.9%) were public schools. The remaining schools include the Newfoundland and Labrador School for the Deaf, the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre, three First Nation schools, and seven private schools in the province.

The breakdown of the 280 public schools is as follows: S 14 primary (any combination of K-3 or K-4 with no higher grades)

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S 108 elementary (K-6 or K-9 or any combination of this range) S 21 intermediate (usually 7-9, but can vary 1-2 grades above or below, e.g., 6-9 or 8-10) S 85 all-grade (schools with all grades or combination of grades across primary, elementary, intermediate and

high school range) S 27 high (any combination on the 7-12 or 6-12 range) S 25 senior high (grade configurations of 9-12 or 10-12)

School Districts The Department of Education is the foundation of the province's school system. On a local level, five regional districts oversee the day-to-day operations of schools. Each district is managed by a regional school board responsible for: staffing and distributing resources; evaluating, acquiring, distributing and maintaining technological resources and buildings; transporting students; and developing instructional policies and practices.

These five districts include four Anglophone (Labrador, Western, Nova Central and Eastern) and one Francophone district, the Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF). The CSF was created to meet the needs of students whose first language was French. The Eastern district is the largest in the province, with the highest percentage of students, teachers and schools situated within its boundaries.

Distance Education Distance education started in the province in 1988 with the intent to provide students the opportunity to enroll in courses important for post-secondary admission, but difficult to offer in rural schools due to low levels of student enrolment. Throughout the years, this program continued to expand by offering increasing numbers of courses to students. The Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) was created during the 2001/02 school year so that students from across the province could access any course offered. The Centre is responsible for: the design, development and delivery of distance education programs to provincial K-12 schools; oversight of provincial K-12 technology integration initiatives and programs; and the design, development and delivery of provincial online teacher professional development programs to the K-12 school system.

Since its inception, CDLI has experienced a: S 100% growth in the number of courses offered; S 69% increase in course enrolments; S 55% increase in the number of teachers; and, S 49% increase in the number of schools providing distance education courses.

Distance education is expected to continue growing and government is committed to promoting and expanding the role of distance education in the province's schools.

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Health and Safety-related Curricula There are several high school courses containing health and safety learning outcomes.

S Career Development 2201 Career Development 2201, which was introduced in 2007/2008 as a mandatory senior high course, was designed for the entire high school student population. Career Development 2201 was developed to assist students with understanding the value and transferability of their learning, knowledge and skills to their personal and career development. Students are expected to identify commonly implemented safe practices in the home, school, community and workplace; and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of maintaining these safe practices. Students are also expected to demonstrate an awareness of the policies, procedures and guidelines that exist to protect employee and employers in the workplace.

During the 2007/2008 school year, 5,767 students were enrolled in Career Development 2201 at 117 schools.

During the 2008/2009 school year, enrolment declined slightly with 5,699 students taking the course at 116 schools with 16 of these students and four schools participating through distance learning.

S Workplace Safety 3220

STUDENT MANUAL

Workplace Safety 3220 is designed to bridge the gap between school and the workplace. It benefits the student, the employer and society as a whole, by generating an increased level of WORKPLACE safety awareness in the world of work. In this course students are exposed to “real life” workSafety related safety issues. Topics relate to occupational health and safety and workers' compensation 3220 legislation; workplace inspections; accident/incident causation and their investigation; and hazard recognition, evaluation and control. The course also covers off-the-job safety situations, EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY providing students with information on ATV and water safety, safety in the woods, drugs and sexual harassment. Students are also afforded the opportunity to be certified in various safety programs, including: WHMIS Safety Training, Passport to Safety, Electrical Safety, Emergency First Aid*, C.P.R*, as well as Worker Health and Safety Representative Certification. (NOTE: Emergency First Aid and CPR courses are offered as supplementary training. These courses are completed outside of class time by “outside” instructors for a fee.)

Workplace Safety 3220 is a local course which is promoted by each school district. The Commission has been overseeing its administration since 1998 by revising and producing the course resource materials and providing speaking opportunities to Workplace Safety 3220 students upon request.

Over the years, several organizations including the Newfoundland and Labrador Employer's Council (NLEC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) have lobbied to make it a mandatory course without success due primarily to the struggle to keep existing courses with a shrinking enrolment. In 1998/1999, Workplace Safety 3220 was delivered at 10 schools to 275 students. Delivery peaked in 2004/2005 with 46 schools providing the course to 1,510 students. In 2008/2009, it was delivered at 39 schools to 988 students.

S Skilled Trades 1201 Skilled Trades 1201 is an introduction to the designated trades in the province and the inter-provincial Red Seal trades. The course, which was introduced in 2007/2008, provides students with an experiential introduction to six specific residential, construction-based skilled trades. Exploration of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, plastering, painting and masonry, take place within a series of modules designed to emulate the real world as

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closely as possible. Authorized learning involves occupational health and safety considerations for health risk to workers, safety considerations on the work site, and identification of code and standard setting bodies for Canada and the provinces. The course promotes safety as not merely a set of rules but a way of life, with a set of ideas, attitudes, behaviours and practices that are essential to the workplace where safe practice does not eliminate risk, but reduces risk. The course also addresses clearly understood unsafe practices where shortcuts and quick work-arounds that often increase the risk. Safe use of tools is practiced by primarily using them in the prescribed manner, with the proper adjustments and usage procedures. Only students who qualify are allowed to use a particular tool and only 100% on written/verbal/performance tests is acceptable for qualification. In 2007/2008, 30 schools delivered skilled trades courses to 913 students. In 2008/2009, this increased to 30 schools delivering courses to 1,600 students.

S Take Our Kids to Work Take Our Kids to Work is a component of Career Exploration which provides an opportunity for Grade 9 students to see different roles and responsibilities in the workplace, develop closer dialogue with their parents or another caring adult, enhance understanding of individual jobs, and link the classroom with the workplace.

S SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life?

To further promote and increase awareness of SAFE Work, the Commission implemented a youth game show in October, 2008. SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life? was designed and developed in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Commission's youth partner, Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador's Youth! (FINALY!), to help foster a culture of safety throughout Newfoundland and Labrador by raising awareness about accident prevention to all stakeholders, including: youth, parents, educators, workers, and employers. The show was modeled after a similar concept developed by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) in Ontario and a pilot which was launched in 2007 at the FINALY! Summit held in Stephenville.

The show was delivered by a team made up of Commission staff from Prevention Services and Communications, a Project Manager recommended by the Department of Education, as well as an educational consultant from that Department, representatives from FINALY, a game show host selected by youth, and a stage manager.

With the support of the Department of Education, a marketing campaign was initiated at all eight participating schools selected by the province's four school district offices. Activities consisting of presentations to students, staff, Workplace Safety 3220 teachers and focus groups were conducted at each school. The information collected was key to the success of the show and was utilized in creating the look and feel of the show, including how the host would look, the costume, the colors, prizes and set design.

The questions for the game show were developed by the Commission's Prevention Services Department, with input and approval from the Department of Education. The set design was created with input from several influential individuals involved in creative arts from the Department of Education and the Arts and Culture Centers.

The Commission partnered with the provincial arts centers for a consistent look for each region.

Four preliminary round games involving the eight schools were completed in the fall of 2008. Two semi-final rounds were played in 2009, culminating in a youth workshop attended by the majority of game show participants and a finale between the two remaining competitor schools. Each event was opened by the Commission's Board Chair and/or Chief Executive Officer, and attended by selected CEO Leadership Charter Signatories, local MHAs in some

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areas, and some of the Commission's Board members. Each venue was filled to capacity with the exception of the show held in St. John's which has the largest Centre. An evaluation of the show was conducted utilizing an on-line survey completed by all participants to measure impressions of the game from a technical and educational perspective and an evaluation component was integrated into the workshop. Overall, all comments and survey results proved to be positive with emphasis on the educational benefits of having participated in this youth safety initiative, and a notable desire to continue this initiative in the future. Based on the success of the show and the feedback obtained, the show is continuing throughout the 2009/2010 school year, with 14 schools participating.

Post secondary Over 28,000 students attend a number of post-secondary institutions in the province which are public and privately operated. There are two public institutions: Memorial University maintains five campuses and has a population of 18,221 students; and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has eighteen campuses and a population of 6,745 students. There are also 25 private training institutions located throughout Newfoundland and Labrador with a student population of 3,124.

Young Worker Employment The Commission defines a young worker as a person between the ages of 15 and 24. In Newfoundland and Labrador, young workers are employed in each of the 12 industry sectors. The number of young workers employed in the province fluctuates throughout the year, with peak employment during the summer months. Between 2004 and 2008, young worker average employment decreased by 8%, from 30,500 to 28,000.

Injury data In 2009, on average, every day, two young people in this province were injured at work. In the past five years three people between the ages of 15 and 24 died on the job as the result of a workplace accident. The lost-time incident rate for young workers has been steadily declining from 2.2 in 2004 to 2.0 in 2008; however the total number of weeks per lost-time claim has increased from 9,294 to 9,588 for the same years. The preliminary total as of December 31, 2009 indicates a reduction in both figures with 9,132 total weeks and a lost time incidence rate of 1.8 being reported. In 2008, the total number of injuries amounted to 960, averaging 80 injuries per month, or more than two per day, versus 718 injuries in 2009, averaging 59 injuries per month, or two per day.

The majority of workers are injured at work in the wholesale and retail trades, service sector, construction, manufacturing and health care.

Claims by workers with the five leading occupations include construction trade helpers and laborers; retail sales clerks; cashiers, food counter/kitchen attendants; grocery clerks and store shelf stockers.

Claims by the five leading types of accidents result from over-exertion in lifting; bending, climbing, crawling, reaching, twisting; fall to the floor, walkway or other surface; struck by swinging or slipping object; and struck by falling object.

Claims by the leading nature of injury include sprains and strains; traumatic injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints; soreness and pain (except the back), cuts and lacerations and back pain and sore back.

Claims by the leading body part affected include the back; fingers and fingernails; multiple body parts; legs; and hands (except fingers).

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WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN

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ery little is known about which practices are most effective in improving knowledge and awareness of health and safety among young workers. The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), the lead organization of the Young Adults Work Group (YAWG) of the Health and Learning Knowledge Centre (HLKC) established by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) commissioned a project involving an extensive review of existing research, reports and online resources, as well as in-depth interviews with a number of key stakeholders, including Commission representatives. The Association compiled a national inventory of exemplary practices in addressing the workplace health and safety of young adult workers in order to identify the most effective approaches for addressing the workplace health and safety needs of young adults.

The findings revealed that while there are a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving workplace health and safety among young adults, what is lacking in the majority of cases is firm evidence about the actual impacts of such initiatives, either on levels of awareness of health and safety among young workers, or on actual injury, illness or fatality rates. A summary of the areas contributing to effective practice as well as the gaps and difficulties identified in the study are provided below.

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Education and Awareness There is a growing trend for workplace health and safety topics to be included in high school curricula or even taught in elementary schools however, the initiative is primarily directed at young people themselves, and to a lesser extent at employers, parents and teachers. The other main form of awareness-raising activity has been the development of a wide range of website resources in a user-friendly, readily accessible format which are intended to provide information and guidance to young workers about workplace health and safety and their rights and responsibilities.

Many of the young worker health and safety websites also target employers, as well as other relevant stakeholders such as the parents and teachers of young workers, with guidance and information on the removal of hazards.

Raising awareness and education for all key stakeholders is a necessary first step in improving health and safety and can have a significant long-term effect on reducing levels of workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses.

These initiatives can only be effective if the education is sufficiently relevant to the students and that they are able to retain the learning until they enter the workplace. Young workers must have the opportunity, or feel able to take the opportunity, to put their knowledge into practice by exercising their workplace health and safety rights.

Training New and young workers require adequate training in how to perform their job and use equipment correctly in order to stay safe at work. Some high school and college students are receiving training in workplace health and safety, but there is little evidence that health and safety training is being delivered extensively to young employees who are already in the workplace. There is also limited evidence that training is being made available to other youth who are outside the educational system based on findings which indicate that only one in five new workers (nationally) had received any orientation, health and safety training or equipment training in the first year of their job.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) stresses that young workers should not be given jobs that require: long training times or a high degree of skill; a great deal of responsibility; critical or risky tasks to be performed; and working alone.

The Centre also stresses the need to reinforce initial training and instructions, by repeating this frequently and clearly over their first few weeks in the job.

Workplace Environment, Controls and Legislation Although training in workplace health and safety and job procedures is of utmost importance in terms of helping young workers reduce their risk of injury, illness and accidents, many sources emphasize that training alone is inadequate. Effective workplace practices involve creating an environment and culture in which safety is valued and young workers feel comfortable in exercising their health and safety rights and responsibilities. The recommended use of safe work practices include: removing hazards, installing guards on machinery, and

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making other changes that eliminate unsafe work conditions; developing workplace programs, policies and work practices aimed at maintaining a safe work environment; and educating and training workers to anticipate, recognize, and control hazards in the workplace. Enforcement of occupational health and safety legislation requiring employers to provide health and safety training to young workers, along with all new workers, regardless of age, is also important.

Gaps in Current Practice Current educational and training initiatives, as well as the many young worker health and safety websites, focus on accident and injury prevention. When reallife case studies are used these feature fatalities, loss of limb and other injuries.

There is very little emphasis at present in workplace health and safety initiatives on the longer-term impact on health of dangerous chemicals or other substances in the workplace. Research by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) on the factors associated with occupational disease among young people, highlights the need for further work in this area. It recommends the exploration of opportunities to further educate employers and young workers about occupational diseases that can occur in the workplace, and the measures that can be taken to help decrease risk (e.g. early detection of and intervention for occupational illnesses such as asthma, as well as the assessment of surveillance tools to determine the ways to improve the identification of occupational diseases among young and new workers).

Providers of Health and Safety Initiatives Current Canadian initiatives addressing the workplace health and safety of young adults in Canada have been developed and delivered mainly by worker's compensation boards (WCBs) and federal and provincial government departments. The remainder are provided by not-for-profit organizations, industry or professional associations.

While prevention of occupational injuries and illness should be a main objective of the efforts of WCBs, this cannot be effectively accomplished without working in partnership with other key stakeholders, including government, employers and young workers themselves.

“I think our major role is workplace accident prevention. That's our bottom line, to get to Destination Zero, is what we call it … We would like to work together as a team with labour, and with the employer organizations, and with government, because without all these players, occupational health and safety within our province's workplaces won't be possible.

We need all these people on board, all these groups on board together in order to deliver that safety message. We also need the support of employers and we need the support of workers … we have to empower young people to want to learn about occupational health and safety and for them to also spread the message among their peers.” (Interviewee, Newfoundland and Labrador Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission)

Federal and Provincial governments of Canada, as well as government-led partnerships such as the CCOHS, have also been very active in efforts to promote the health and safety of young workers. In general, departments with policy responsibility for employment, occupational health or education have played a leading role by establishing websites and publishing guidance directed at young worker health and safety, as well as coordinating the delivery of workplace health and safety information within the public school system.

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A number of charities and foundations are also very active in the area of young worker health and safety on a national level. Two prominent foundations, the Our Youth at Work Foundation and Safe Communities Foundation, were established by the parents of children killed in workplace accidents. The Safe Communities Foundation helps to establish and coordinate community initiatives to improve young worker health and safety.

Most notably is the Passport to Safety, an interactive online "test", based on learning outcomes developed by health and safety curriculum experts from most provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada. It is widely used in schools and by employers, and is also being adopted by other countries. The Our Youth at Work Foundation gives presentations in high schools, community centers and workplaces throughout North America on young worker health and safety, with speakers including high profile leaders from business, labour and government.

Not-for-profit organizations have greater flexibility in the way they can deliver information to young people and other stakeholders in order to drive change most effectively. They play an important co-ordinating role between a range of government, private sector and other stakeholders, due to the wide networks of contacts that they often have and their non-political approach.

Although different types of organizations clearly have important roles to play in relation to initiatives to improve the health and safety of young workers, it is often only through partnerships and coordination of a range of stakeholders that initiatives can be truly effective. Currently, the findings indicate that there is insufficient coordination of efforts in the area and while there are a number of complementary initiatives ongoing, there may be a considerable amount of duplicated time and effort involved in developing them.

Target Audiences S Students The primary focus on education and raising awareness in current initiatives addresses the health and safety of young workers and has been targeted at school-age children and youth. There is less evidence of initiatives concerned with delivering workplace health and safety education and information to college and university students, even those students in courses leading to careers in high-risk occupations, those already in fulltime employment or who have dropped out of the education system.

Research findings indicate that the work-related injury rate for young people who were out of school and who did not have a high school diploma were three times higher than those in some type of education program who had also graduated from high school.

S Schools and Teachers The need for schools to deliver workplace health and safety programs means that many initiatives are targeted at teachers, including training, educational resource packages as well as on-line resources and websites. The incorporation of workplace-related health and safety learning into various aspects of the school curriculum, rather than taught as a stand alone subject, can be effective in making the material more interesting and relevant to the students. It also enables teachers to more efficiently incorporate the material into their teaching loads.

S Employers and Supervisors Many of the on-line resources developed are aimed at increasing awareness of employers and providing guidance on how to meet their responsibilities, particularly with regard to occupational health and safety legislation. Much of the occupational health and safety literature stresses the role of adequate supervision in reducing health and

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safety risks to young workers and the amount and type of supervision should be tailored to the nature and level of experience of the worker concerned.

S Parents Many of the young worker health and safety websites also have sections targeted at the parents of young workers, to raise awareness of the dangers their working children may be in, their rights and responsibilities and those of employers. According to a briefing paper by the IWH, parents have an important role to play in preventing injuries among young workers, by: ensuring that their working children are aware of their rights to refuse unsafe work and to support them in exercising these rights; encouraging them to report any workplace injuries; to act as role models by encouraging their children to talk to them about their work safety experiences; and promoting good health and safety practices in their own workplaces.

Delivery Methods and Style S Social Marketing Approach Many current Canadian initiatives which address the health and safety of young adult workers are grounded in a “social marketing� approach which recognizes the need to tailor the method and manner of delivery to the attitudes and learning styles of youth and young adults. This approach has largely influenced the delivery methods and style of communications now being used, particularly the heavy use of the Internet.

S Online Resources and Tools One of the challenges is how to disseminate messages through appropriate channels to reach young people effectively. Young people spend a vast amount of time on-line, which means that web-based resources provide a potential means of access to the majority of young people in a way that printed resources do not.

Websites are most effective in improving health and safety when they aim to raise awareness and impart knowledge, not only to young workers themselves, but to employers, parents and teachers. It is important not to rely on the internet exclusively as not all young people have internet access.

S Communication Style Younger workers have shorter attention spans than older workers where printed resources are concerned.

Therefore, organizations have to adapt health and safety training to the learning styles of younger workers by providing more computer and web-based training to younger workers, and to deliver printed health and safety messages in small segments, with the use of graphics. Effective initiatives use communication styles which young people can relate to, and which give them a sense of empowerment rather than preaching to or lecturing them.

S Shock Tactics One of the major barriers to changing young worker behaviours and attitudes towards workplace safety is their tendency to feel invincible and to have little concern about the future. Many current initiatives try to break down this barrier through the use of shock tactics, using real life stories about young worker fatalities and serious

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injuries to demonstrate what might actually happen if safety procedures are not followed. This is now commonly accepted as a technique for delivering health and safety but is only effective if they also educate young workers about how to stay safe in the workplace, and about their rights and responsibilities.

S Competitions According to research, peer-to-peer communications which utilizes drama or story competitions as a form of education is one of the most effective ways of delivering health and safety messages to young people. Many of the young worker websites invite visitors to submit their own workplace health and safety stories, and some run story and art competitions with offers of cash or other prizes.

S Multi-Method Delivery Format Health and safety information and training has to take into account different educational levels and learning requirements within the young worker population.

The effectiveness of young worker health and safety initiatives can be increased by the use of different methods of communication such as web resources, classroom-based presentations, or other communication techniques such as printed guidance, posters, television and radio commercials and competitions.

S Delivery via the Education System The incorporation of health and safety learning into the education system has become one of the main strands of young worker education in Canada. Workplace health and safety training for young workers should be delivered and reinforced in a manner which is adapted to young people's experience and learning requirements and spread over a period of time to facilitate absorption of the material. Initiatives integrated into various aspects of the school curriculum rather than being taught as a stand alone subject, makes the material more interesting and relevant to students. It also makes it easier for teachers to incorporate the additional material into their teaching loads.

Evaluation There is little information available on the impact of the initiatives and which types of practices are most effective, other than anecdotal evidence. Even the social marketing approach, which underpins so many current practices in this area, has not been extensively evaluated to determine its outcome on actual levels of accidents and injury among young workers. Further investigation is required to determine changes in levels of awareness and knowledge of health and safety issues.

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INFLUENCING IT HAPPENING

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A

s part of the development of this strategic plan for young workers, a SWOT analysis was undertaken to assess existing strengths and weaknesses in relation to external opportunities and threats which influence the plan as well as the identification of key priorities and areas for service delivery.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

SWOT Analysis

Ä Strengths The Commission's Board of Directors and senior management recognize the importance of educating young workers as evidenced by their support for the development of new initiatives and the enhancement of existing youth education and awareness initiatives and programs. This recognition is valued on a national level by other workers compensation boards across Canada as evidenced by their requests for information on SAFE Work NL's – Who Wants to Save a Life?, as well as cross-country, jurisdictional-sharing through representation by the Commission's Youth Coordinator on the Canadian Co-ordinators of Young Workers Safety (CCYWS) Committee. It is also valued provincially as evidenced by organizations such as Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth! (FINALY!), Skills Canada and Government Departments such as the Department of Education and Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE) who want to partner with the Commission in the delivery of activities and programs directed at young workers.

Continued support from the Department of Education provides easier access to schools and students. This partnership strengthens the lines of communication required to ensure health and safety information, curriculum content and delivery is current and relevant. This support is necessary for the Commission to achieve its objective of creating awareness and education among the province's young workers.

Partnerships provide opportunities for strategies relating to young worker education to be highly creative, productive and successful. It is through partnerships that the Commission can work to foster a culture of safety and more can be accomplished.

The Commission has a full-time Youth Coordinator dedicated to oversee, develop and deliver initiatives specifically related to the young worker demographic. This resource ensures that young worker issues are addressed as priority.

Ä Weaknesses There are geographical challenges associated with reaching all young workers across the province. Although effort is made to reach as broad an audience as possible, given the expansive geographical area it is not possible to do this in-person and alternate means of outreach is necessary.

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Ă„ Opportunities There are a number of opportunities available that can lead to enhanced service delivery of young worker awareness and education programs.

Issues like geographical challenges can be overcome with more investment into distance learning programs such as CDLI, which can facilitate meaningful dialogue. An example of this is the ability to reach youth audiences through live webcasts, or connecting schools enabling students to collaborate on issues related to health and safety.

Partnerships with other organizations such as the Department of Education, Skills Canada and HRLE enhance networking and promotion of health and safety. The inter-agency collaboration between the Commission, the Department of Education and HRLE on roll out of Passport to Safety to high school students as part of HRLE's Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy is one such example.

The utilization of new technology in the communication of health and safety and mediums such as Face Book, Twitter and You Tube can be an effective tool in reaching a technology savvy young audience.

The promotion of health and safety programs and initiatives in French has yet to be explored in this province. The Francophone school district is an untapped resource for French-speaking students and the opportunity to offer young worker programs and initiatives in multiple languages opens the door to a broader youth audience.

Ă„ Threats While there are opportunities, there are also several impediments to implementation of a strategy. Youth have busy schedules involving school studies as well as extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, youth groups, etc. which compete for their time and attention.

There are also time limitations to consider when reaching students in school. The academic year runs from September to June; however, when you consider exams, holidays, professional development days, snow days, power outages and activities such as winter carnivals, the amount of time actually available to reach these students is limited. It is challenging to reach students who are outside the educational system because they have finished school or have left school and are not working.

Not taking advantage of the opportunities previously outlined is a threat to future success in establishing a positive safety culture among young workers.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers A Strategic 2010 - 2013 Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

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MAKING IT HAPPEN A Strategic Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

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T

he Commission is focused on achieving increased awareness of workplace health and safety injury and illness prevention practices through measurement of the following indicators:

S Increased workplace health and safety awareness

among youth, employers, industry and the general public S Enhanced workplace health and safety training for workplaces S Implementation of a strategy to address increased awareness and prevention of known occupational diseases The objective for 2010-2013, is to have enhanced workplace health and safety training for workplaces and developed a strategy to increase awareness of the prevention of known occupational disease. The implementation of this strategy focusing on young workers will support the Commission's goal of creating awareness and education to foster a culture of safety in Newfoundland and Labrador where workplace accidents are unacceptable, particularly with young workers.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

Preventing Young Worker Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Ä Educators The Plan

In 2010-2013, the Commission will continue to promote health and safety in the secondary and post-secondary school systems as a means of raising awareness of workplace injury and illness prevention. At the secondary level, this will be achieved by fostering the existing partnership with the Department of Education and enhancing the promotion and integration of health and safety in the Department's curricula. It will also involve the provision of continuing support to teachers delivering health and safety-related courses. At the postsecondary level, this will be achieved by building relationships with the public and private post-secondary institutions to explore opportunities for the integration of health and safety learning in course work, career development and pre-employment opportunities. Partnerships with not-for-profit agencies will also be explored.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2010, the Commission, in consultation with the Department of

Education, will review Workplace Safety 3220, Career Development 2201 and the Skilled Trades curriculum, and recommend revisions in conjunction with recent changes to the provincial occupational health and safety legislation.

S In 2010, the Commission's Youth Co-ordinator will continue to

provide support to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201 and Skilled Trades curriculum; as well as students by delivering occupational health and safety workshops to schools in the four districts.

S In 2010, the Commission will offer an annual in-service to

teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201, or the Skilled Trades.

S In 2010, the Commission in consultation with the Department of

Education will establish an award for the “Most Occupational Health and Safety Oriented” Teacher, to be nominated by the school districts.

S In 2010, the Commission will continue to collaborate and

partner with the Department of Education to promote and deliver SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life? to 14 schools in four school districts across the province in the 2009/2010 school year.

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S In 2010, the Commission will network with not-for-profit agencies

such as Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador's Youth (FINALY!), the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB), government departments such as Human Resources, Labour and Employment, the Occupational Health and Safety Division, Department of Government Services and Choices for Youth. The objective will be to collaborate to provide key messaging via their web sites and engage in speaking opportunities promoting workplace health and safety at youth –related forums and events, as well as agencies and support groups who provide services to unemployed youth.

S In 2010, the Commission's Youth Co-ordinator will continue to represent the Commission at the

meetings of the Canadian Co-ordinators Young Worker Safety (CCYWS) Committee to discuss issues pertinent to young worker safety across the country and share best practices.

S In 2010, the Commission will continue to collaborate with the Department of Human Resources

Labour and Employment to promote Passport to Safety, as a part of the department's Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2011, the Commission's Youth Coordinator will continue to

provide support to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201, and Skilled Trades curriculum, as well as students by delivering occupational health and safety workshops to schools in the four districts.

S In 2011, the Commission will offer an annual in-service to teachers delivering Workplace 3220,

Career Development 2201, or the Skilled Trades.

S In 2011, the Commission will propose collaboration with the Department of Education on the

integration of a workplace orientation learning segment in the Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work program, prior to students visiting workplaces.

S In 2011, the Commission in consultation with the Department of Education will award the “Most

Occupational Health and Safety Oriented” Teacher, nominated by the school districts at the annual School Administrators Conference.In 2011, the Commission will work in collaboration with the Department of Education to explore and identify CDLI opportunities for the development and promotion of health and safety learning packages that can be incorporated into health, safety and career exploration-related courses as well as “real-time” broadcast opportunities to deliver activities such as the game show and youth workshops.

S In 2011, the Commission will collaborate with the Department of Education to explore ways and

means to adapt SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life?, so that it can be delivered with fewer resources to a broader range of schools in the 2011/2012 and future school years.

S In 2011, the Commission will formally establish a partnership with Skills Canada to promote and

heighten awareness about workplace health and safety at all provincial Skills Canada competitions.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers A Strategic 2010 - 2013 Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

Activities and Timelines: S In 2012, the Commission's Youth Co-ordinator will continue to provide

support to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201, and Skilled Trades curriculum; as well as students by delivering occupational health and safety workshops to schools in the four districts.

S In 2012, the Commission will offer an annual in-service to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201, or the Skilled Trades.

S In 2012, the Commission will develop educational materials and video in collaboration with the

Department of Education for use in a workplace orientation learning segment in the Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work program prior to students visiting workplaces.

S In 2012, the Commission in consultation with the Department of Education will award the “Most

Occupational Health and Safety Oriented” Teacher, nominated by the school districts at the annual School Administrators Conference.

S

In 2012, the Commission will work in collaboration with the Department of Education to integrate health and safety learning packages into CDLI health, safety and career exploration-related courses as well as “real-time” broadcast opportunities to deliver activities such as the game show and youth workshops.

S In 2012, the Commission will deliver SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life? to a broader range

of schools with minimal resources.

S In 2012, the Commission will work with Skills Canada to promote and heighten awareness about

workplace health and safety at all provincial Skills Canada competitions.

Activities and Timelines: In 2013, the Commission's Youth Co-ordinator will continue to provide support to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201, and Skilled Trades curriculum as well as students; by delivering occupational health and safety workshops to schools in the four districts.

S In 2013, the Commission will offer an annual in-service to teachers delivering Workplace 3220, Career Development 2201 or the Skilled Trades.

S In 2013, the Commission will provide educational materials and video in collaboration with the

Department of Education for use in a workplace orientation learning segment in the Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work program; prior to students visiting workplaces.

S In 2013, the Commission in consultation with the Department of Education will award the “Most

Occupational Health and Safety Oriented” Teacher, nominated by the school districts at the annual School Administrators Conference.

S In 2013, the Commission will continue to work in collaboration with the Department of Education to

integrate health and safety learning packages into CDLI health, safety and career explorationrelated courses as well as “real-time” broadcast opportunities to deliver activities such as the game show and youth workshops.

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S In 2013, the Commission will deliver SAFE Work NL's - Who Wants to Save a Life? to a broader range

of schools with minimal resources.

S In 2013, the Commission will work with Skills Canada to promote and heighten awareness about

workplace health and safety at all provincial Skills Canada competitions.

Ä Youth In 2010-2013, the Commission will continue to work with youth to build on the existing foundation established and identify initiatives that empower youth leadership and enhance knowledge about their workplace health and safety rights and responsibilities through peer to peer communication.

The Commission will also undertake an extensive revision of its youth webpage to enhance its accessibility as well as attraction to students and young workers.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2010, the Commission will work with Compensation Services to actively seek

youth advocates who can raise awareness about workplace accidents by sharing “real stories” about their work and injury experience.

S In 2010, the Commission will award prizes to students for the winning radio and

video ads in May, 2010 and promote the winning ads via radio, the Commission's website and at select speaking engagements and conferences.

S In 2010, the Commission will review and revise its website to make it more accessible and attractive

to students and young workers.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2011, the Commission will continue to work with Compensation

Services to actively seek youth advocates who can raise awareness about workplace accidents by sharing “real stories” about their work and injury experience.

S In 2011, the Commission will award prizes to students for the winning

radio and video ads and continue to promote the winning ads via radio, the Commission's website and at select speaking engagements and conferences.

S In 2011, the Commission will monitor and revise its website as required, to make it more accessible

and attractive to students and young workers.

S In 2011, the Commission will collaborate with the Department of Education on the identification of

a leading student council in each of the four school districts to identify and develop a project designed to raise awareness about workplace health and safety and workers rights, which uses current youth networking technologies such as You Tube, Twitter, My Space or Face book.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers A Strategic 2010 - 2013 Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

Activities and Timelines: S In 2012, the Commission will continue to work with Compensation

Services to actively seek youth advocates who can raise awareness about workplace accidents by sharing “real stories” about their work and injury experience.

S In 2012, the Commission will award prizes to students for the winning radio and video ads and

continue to promote the winning ads via radio, the Commission's website and at select speaking engagements and conferences.

S In 2012, the Commission will continue to collaborate with the Department of Education to raise

awareness about workplace health and safety and workers rights, using current youth networking technologies such as You Tube, Twitter, My Space or Face book.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2013, the Commission will continue to work with Compensation

Services to actively seek youth advocates who can raise awareness about workplace accidents by sharing “real stories” about their work and injury experience.

S In 2013, the Commission will award prizes to students for the winning

radio and video ads and promote the winning ads via radio, the Commission's website and at select speaking engagements and conferences.

S In 2013, the Commission will continue to review and revise its website to make it more accessible

and attractive to students and young workers.

S In 2013, the Commission will continue to collaborate with the Department of Education to raise

awareness about workplace health and safety and workers rights, using current youth networking technologies such as You Tube, Twitter, My Space or face book.

Ä Employers In 2010-2013, the Commission will continue to raise employer's awareness about the need for health and safety orientation and safe work procedures and programming targeting youth by working with them, providing information and tools designed to support this aggregate.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2010, the Commission will work in collaboration with the Occupational

Health and Safety Division and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to explore and identify opportunities to ensure information about workplace health and safety requirements is available to career counselors and career centers.

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S In 2010, the Commission will review and enhance existing

occupational health and safety documentation targeting employers of young workers to ensure it is updated to reflect the new provincial occupational health and safety legislation and make revisions as necessary.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2011, the Commission will work in

collaboration with the Occupational Health and Safety Division and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to explore and identify opportunities to ensure information about workplace health and safety requirements is available to career counselors and career centers.

S In 2011, the Commission will identify and work with a select group of employers who hire young

workers to develop an on-line occupational health and safety tool kit with workplace orientation, safe work practices, and health and safety program information for use when hiring and training young workers.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2012, the Commission will work in collaboration with the

Occupational Health and Safety Division and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to explore and identify opportunities to ensure information about workplace health and safety requirements is available to career counselors and career centers.

S In 2012, the Commission will identify and work with a select group of employers who hire young

workers to develop an on-line occupational health and safety tool kit with workplace orientation, safe work practices, and health and safety program information for use when hiring and training young workers.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2013, the Commission will work in collaboration with the

Occupational Health and Safety Division and the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to explore and identify opportunities to ensure information about workplace health and safety requirements is available to career counselors and career centers.

S In 2013, the Commission will identify and work with a select group of employers who hire young

workers to develop an on-line occupational health and safety tool kit with workplace orientation, safe work practices, and health and safety program information for use when hiring and training young workers.

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A Strategic Plan for Young Workers A Strategic 2010 - 2013 Plan for Young Workers 2010 - 2013

Ă„ Parents In 2010-2013, the Commission will explore opportunities to network with parents on ways to enhance their knowledge and awareness about workplace health and safety, better enabling them to mentor and coach their children about recognizing hazards and staying safe on the job.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2010, the Commission will identify and work with select parent-

teacher groups to explore and find opportunities to dialogue on ways and means to increase young workers knowledge about health and safety as well as their rights and responsibilities.

S In 2010, the Commission will incorporate messages directed at youth and their parents pertaining

to staying safe and healthy at work, into Board Chair and CEO presentations.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2011, the Commission will identify and work with select parent-

teacher groups to explore and find opportunities to dialogue on ways and means to increase young workers knowledge about health and safety as well as their rights and responsibilities.

S In 2011, the Commission will incorporate messages directed at youth

and their parents pertaining to staying safe and healthy at work, into Board Chair and CEO presentations.

Activities and Timelines: S In 2012, the Commission will identify and work with select parent-

teacher groups to explore and find opportunities to dialogue on ways and means to increase young workers knowledge about health and safety as well as their rights and responsibilities.

S In 2012, the Commission will incorporate messages directed at youth

and their parents pertaining to staying safe and healthy at work, into Board Chair and CEO presentations.

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Activities and Timelines: S In 2013, the Commission will identify and work with select parent-

teacher groups to explore and find opportunities to dialogue on ways and means to increase young workers knowledge about health and safety as well as their rights and responsibilities.

S In 2013, the Commission will incorporate messages directed at youth and their parents pertaining to staying safe and healthy at work, into Board Chair and CEO presentations.

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REFERENCES Association of Canadian Community Colleges, Exemplary Practices in Addressing Workplace Health and Safety Practices of Young Adults Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education website

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