Inspectors visiting workplaces that typically hire new workers until Aug. 31
As summer job season begins, Ontario has launched inspection blitzes to ensure new and young workers, such as summer student employees, are safe on the job and know their rights at work.
“Young workers are the future of our workforce and we must do all that we can to protect them. We must strive to ensure that young workers — our own sons and daughters — have their workplace rights protected under the law and that they are able to come home safely to their families at the end of the day,” said Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn.
Young workers are defined as those aged 14 to 24 years. New workers include “young workers” and those aged 25 and older who are on the job for less than six months or who are assigned to a new job in the same workplace.
From May 1 to Aug. 31, Ontario workplace inspectors and officers are visiting workplaces that typically hire new and young workers, such as food services and retail trade, to ensure that employers are complying with provincial health and safety and employment standards laws, including training requirements.
Workers that are new to their jobs, including young workers, are three times more likely to be injured in the first month than any other time throughout their careers.
This is the 10th consecutive year that the Ministry of Labour has conducted a health and safety blitz for new and young workers.
