• First Reference
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Blog Signup 📨

First Reference Talks

Discussions on Human Resources, Employment Law, Payroll and Internal Controls

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Resources
  • Buy Policies
You are here: Home / Health and Safety / Young and new workers focus of four-month enforcement blitz

By Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor | 2 Minutes Read April 19, 2010

Young and new workers focus of four-month enforcement blitz

The Ministry of Labour has announced that the safety of young and new workers will be the focus of a four-month enforcement health and safety blitz across Ontario beginning in May 2010. According to the government, young and new workers in Ontario are four times more likely to be injured during the first month of employment than at any other time.

This initiative coincides with students starting summer jobs around the month of May. Particular attention will be focused on workplaces where many young and new workers are employed, including stores, wholesalers, restaurants, construction sites and vehicle sales. Inspectors will also check workplaces such as golf courses, camps, temporary amusement parks and locations where workers are engaged in activities such as landscaping.

Health and safety inspectors will check to ensure young and new workers:

  • Are properly oriented, trained and supervised on jobs.
  • Meet minimum age requirements.
  • Are protected by safety measures to prevent injuries.

Young and new workers are defined as:

Young and new workers aged 14 to 24 years.
New workers 25 and older who have been on the job less than six months or who have been reassigned to a new job.

The blitz is part of the province’s Safe At Work Ontario strategy, launched in June 2008.

What should targeted employers do to prepare?

  • Employers should ensure that young and new workers are being given the proper orientation and training when starting a job and are receiving appropriate supervision.
  • Ensure workers meet minimum age requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Workers must be at least: 14 to work in industrial establishments such as offices, stores, arenas and restaurant serving areas; 15 to work in most factories, including restaurant kitchens, automotive service garages, produce and meat preparation, and shipping and receiving areas in grocery stores, laundries and warehouses; and 16 to work in logging operations.
  • Ensure safety measures are in place to prevent injuries. This may include safe practices for materials handling and mechanical device usage to prevent ergonomics and musculoskeletal injuries, procedures for specific equipment such as using guarding devices on machinery and the safe use of lifting devices, ladders and personal protective equipment to prevent falls. It will also include violence and harassment prevention measures coming into force on June 15, 2010.

Yosie Saint-Cyr
Human Resources and Compliance Managing Editor

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Follow me
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor
Managing Editor at First Reference Inc.
Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B., is a trained lawyer called to the Quebec bar in 1988 and is still a member in good standing. She practiced business, employment and labour law until 1999. For over 20 years, Yosie has been the Managing Editor at First Reference. She manages the PolicyPro Human Resources and Internal Controls editions, The Human Resources Advisor editions, PaySource and the HRinfodesk news service as well as the blogs. Marie-Yosie (a.k.a. Yosie) is a recognized and respected author, with an extensive background in human resources, employment and labour across the country.
Follow me
Latest posts by Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor (see all)
  • First Reference annual holiday donation, season’s greetings, and holiday break - December 23, 2022
  • Top 10+ First Reference Talks blog posts for 2022 - December 23, 2022
  • EI sickness benefits extending on December 18 - November 29, 2022

Article by Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor / Health and Safety / enforcement blitz, health and safety, health and safety enforcement, occupational health and safety, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, safe at work, young and new workers

Share with a friend or colleague

Get the Latest Posts in your Inbox for Free!

Electronic monitoring

About Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor

Marie-Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B., is a trained lawyer called to the Quebec bar in 1988 and is still a member in good standing. She practiced business, employment and labour law until 1999. For over 20 years, Yosie has been the Managing Editor at First Reference. She manages the PolicyPro Human Resources and Internal Controls editions, The Human Resources Advisor editions, PaySource and the HRinfodesk news service as well as the blogs. Marie-Yosie (a.k.a. Yosie) is a recognized and respected author, with an extensive background in human resources, employment and labour across the country.

Footer

About us

Established in 1995, First Reference is the leading publisher of up to date, practical and authoritative HR compliance and policy databases that are essential to ensure organizations meet their due diligence and duty of care requirements.

First Reference Talks

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Resources
  • Buy Policies

Main Menu

  • About First Reference
  • Resources
  • Contact us
  • 1 800 750 8175

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

We welcome your comments on our blog articles. However, we do not respond to specific legal questions in this space.
We do not provide any form of legal advice or legal opinion. Please consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction or try one of our products.


Copyright © 2009 - 2023 · First Reference Inc. · All Rights Reserved
Legal and Copyright Notices · Publisher's Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy