WorkSafeBC highlights ongoing concern as injury rates remain steady
AS summer approaches, many young British Columbians are preparing to enter the workforce for the first time. WorkSafeBC is reminding employers of their responsibility to provide proper training, orientation, and supervision to young and new workers.
“Young workers are highly vulnerable to workplace injuries,” says Angelique Prince, Director of Prevention Programs and Services at WorkSafeBC. “Inexperience, inadequate training and supervision, and unfamiliarity with workplace hazards can all increase the risk of injury — especially when workers don’t feel empowered to ask questions or raise safety concerns.”
Each year, nearly 7,000 young workers are injured on the job in B.C., with serious injuries remaining steady at approximately 800 annually. In addition, over the past five years, 34 young workers have tragically lost their lives due to workplace incidents.
Injuries in 2024 were most prevalent in service-sector jobs, accounting for 1,282 claims, followed by construction (1,063 claims), and retail (492 claims).
Employer responsibilities
Employers have a legal obligation to provide proper orientation and training for all workers before they begin work. This training should be tailored to the specific tasks, hazards, and conditions of the workplace.
Employers have a legal obligation to provide proper orientation and training for all workers before they begin work. This training should be tailored to the specific tasks, hazards, and conditions of the workplace.
In addition, employers must provide ongoing education and supervision when new equipment, procedures, or job sites are introduced. Employers must also ensure young and new workers are aware of their rights, including the legal right to refuse unsafe work.
Student safety video contest and student resources
To help empower youth to be healthy and safe at work, WorkSafeBC hosts an annual student safety video contest. This year’s theme — Show up, speak up for safety — challenged students to creatively explore the hesitation young workers may feel when starting a new job and how to overcome it. To view this year’s winners, visit worksafebc.com.
To help empower youth to be healthy and safe at work, WorkSafeBC hosts an annual student safety video contest. This year’s theme — Show up, speak up for safety — challenged students to creatively explore the hesitation young workers may feel when starting a new job and how to overcome it. To view this year’s winners, visit worksafebc.com.
WorkSafeBC’s Student WorkSafe resources also plays a key role in preparing young people for the workplace. The modules are designed to educate and empower young workers — particularly high school students — about workplace health and safety, and their rights and responsibilities.
Resources
WorkSafeBC offers a variety of tools to support employers and new and young workers:
- WorkSafeBC Website: Young & new workers.
