Campaign reminds young people to stay safe at summer jobs
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has launched its latest campaign, #PracticeSafeWork, aimed at reminding young people aged 15-24 about the importance of workplace safety during the summer months. The initiative leverages humorous ads featuring animal animations to capture the attention of young workers and emphasize that safety is crucial, even during the summer.
“Every year, we do our best to remind young people that workplace injuries can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Our videos are funny but deliver a serious message - unsafe work practices can get you injured or killed,” said Jeffery Lang, WSIB President and CEO.
Sobering reality
Over the past decade in Ontario (2013-2023), 103 young workers aged 15-24 lost their lives due to workplace incidents, with 16 fatalities occurring just last year. In 2023, more than 33,000 young people were injured at work, and nearly 13,000 of these injuries were severe enough to result in lost work time.
Support and resources
The campaign aims not only to prevent young people from becoming part of these statistics but also to inform them about the support available if they do get hurt. The WSIB provides wage replacement, covers medical expenses, and assists in a safe return to work when appropriate.
Campaign details
The online campaign runs from June 20 to August 21 and includes videos on platforms popular with young people, such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch, YouTube, and connected TV.
In addition to the videos, the campaign's website, practicesafework.ca, serves as a comprehensive resource for young workers and their parents. The site offers information on how young people can stay safe at work, questions to ask employers to avoid injuries, their rights and responsibilities related to workplace safety, and steps to take in case of an injury.
Safety check tool
The website also features the Safety Check tool, a resource that allows users to examine the safety records of employers. This tool provides data on the number of injuries a business has reported annually, the most common types of injuries, and other relevant safety information.
