Would you let your child work on a rooftop without a harness? Or enter a trench that could collapse?

It sounds extreme—but for many new and young workers starting jobs this summer, these aren’t hypotheticals. They’re real, daily situations. And in far too many cases, no one is stepping in to safeguard them.

At the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC), we believe everyone deserves to go to work and come home safe at the end of their workday. That’s why we’re offering 50% off in-person, scheduled health and safety training programs this summer, to help protect workers, including student and seasonal workers across Ontario.

Training is available in locations like Markham, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London and Sudbury.
 

The Reality?

Researchers tell us workers new to a job are up to three times more likely to be injured—often because they’re rushed, untrained, under-trained, or afraid to speak up. Ontario young worker deaths from traumatic injuries have increased 40 per cent over the previous decade, according to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). And many young workers are exposed to multiple carcinogens, especially those working in construction, outdoor occupations and farming, says CAREX Canada.

What’s worse? Many employers don’t even realize what they’re doing is dangerous to workers—or worse, they do and downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Just this week, we heard about a young person who was offered a summer job cleaning windows. When he asked about working-at-heights training, the employer dismissed the concern, saying it “wasn’t a construction site.” The requirement for adequate training doesn’t disappear just because the employer says so. Neither do the dangers.

Another new worker was directed to enter a trench with no shoring. No supports. Nothing to prevent a deadly collapse. And yes—workers have died this way.

These stories aren’t rare. They’re warnings. And we want to help employers and all to see them for what they are: avoidable tragedies waiting to happen unless something changes.

Register for life-saving training today: www.whsc.on.ca/Training/Training-Registration

The Hazards Faced by Workers, New and Existing

New and existing workers across the province are being exposed to hazards unacceptably—and often illegally. Hazardous situations include:

• Being left to work alone, vulnerable to violent attacks
• Working in extreme heat with no water or cooling breaks
• Performing work at heights with no fall protection in place
• Using or exposed to toxic chemicals with no knowledge, training or safeguards
• Entering confined spaces without air quality tests or rescue plans
• Being asked to clear machine jams with no lockout procedure
• Controlling traffic without the protection of safety procedures or communication devices.

How WHSC Can Help

Unlike some health and safety training, our programs aren’t just about ticking boxes—they’re about changing outcomes. Our training is designed to help workers, their representatives, supervisors and employers:

• Learn how to spot hazardous work
• Understand their legal rights and responsibilities
• Know what health and safety control measures should be in place 
• And especially in the case of new and young workers, know when and how to say no.

We’ve also included Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification training in our summer discount. Because we know that strong, knowledgeable JHSCs are one of the best defenses against workplace hazards. They ask better questions. They see the warning signs. They insist upon action before something goes wrong.

French-Language Training Available in Ottawa

We’re also offering 50% off in-person French-language training this summer in Ottawa. This includes mandatory courses for joint health and safety committees and workers on construction projects:

• Certification – Parts I & II
• Working at Heights & Refresher.

Register today: www.whsc.on.ca/Formation/Inscription-a-la-formation

This Isn’t About Blame—It’s About Action

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit: whsc.on.ca
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