Move helps government create awareness about 'the importance of physical and mental health and safety at work for young people and all workers'
The Saskatchewan provincial government has proclaimed September 10, 2024 as Youth Safety Education Day.
With the move, the government aims to provide workers aged 25 and below with workplace health and safety awareness they need to avoid injuries and fatalities on the job.
"Saskatchewan is a great place to live and work and we want to ensure that youth entering the workforce are doing so safely," said Don McMorris, minister of labour relations and workplace safety. "Proclaiming Youth Safety Education Day is one way we can create awareness about the importance of physical and mental health and safety at work for young people and all workers."
In Saskatchewan, the general minimum working age is 16-years-old. However, youth aged 14 and 15 are permitted to work under certain conditions after completing the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) and receiving parental or guardian consent.
The YWRCC is separated into three modules: Understanding the World of Work, Workplace Health and Safety (Occupational Health and Safety and Rules for Fairness at Work (Employment Standards)
The first module is an introduction to the world of work. Modules two and three focus on the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers under Part II – Employment Standards and Part III – Occupational Health and Safety in the Saskatchewan Employment Act.
Throughout the course, students will be actively engaged through the use of videos, interactive course activities, quizzes, animations and workplace scenarios.
Since 2010, the course has issued an average of 10,000 certificates per year.
