Health & Wellness
 

Summer Job Safety From: Toronto Star May 22, 2007 04:30 AM Dan Kramp of Guelph was just 15 and working as a summer student at a meat processing plant when his arm was mangled by a meat auger. Today, eight years later, he still has limited use of his hand and arm. He didn't know he had the right to refuse unsafe work. Or to ask his boss for proper safety training before he took up his assigned tasks. But he did have those rights, as the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is insistently reminding young people in its annual safety campaign. An average of 42 young Ontario workers are injured, sickened or killed on the job every day. Last year alone, 10 young workers died. "Every one of those deaths represents a life cut short, potential never realized and families changed forever," WSIB chair Steve Mahoney said at the launch of the campaign. Young workers are particularly vulnerable because of their age and lack of experience. They may be unaware of the dangers of hazardous chemicals and materials or of powerful machines they may not have learned how to operate safely. Employers have a duty to ensure that they are given required health and safety training. And every firm with over five employees must have a written health and safety policy. Young workers have the right to know the hazards in the workplace and to refuse to do unsafe work. That is the law. Worker safety must come first. Parents should ensure their children know their rights in this regard, before seeing them off to summer jobs. And they should make it their business to find out how safe the work they are doing is, and how carefully they are supervised. A good employer should be prepared to answer such questions. A young person's first job experience should be a positive, healthy thing. We all must do our part to avert needless injuries, and worse.

It Pays for Young Workers to Learn about Workplace Safety WSIB Launches Young Worker Safety Campaign and Awards Winners of the 2007 Student Video Contest TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ - The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) today launched its newest safety campaign that provides incentives to young workers for learning about workplace safety. The winning videos from the WSIB's sixth annual Student Video Contest were also screened at today's launch event, attended by 200 high school students, and the winners presented with their awards. It's important to educate young people about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace now, as thousands of young workers are set to begin summer jobs across the province. It's even more critical given last year's statistics - in 2006, 10 young Ontario workers, 15 to 24 years of age, lost their lives due to injuries and illnesses. "What is most appalling is that the death of each and every young worker was preventable - they simply shouldn't have happened," said Steve Mahoney, Chair of the WSIB. "Instead of helping them plan for their future, the families of these young workers had to plan their funerals." Aimed at 15- to 19-year-olds, the campaign features animated ads that will be shown in movie theatres, on public transit and online. The ads speak to young workers in their own language, enticing them to visit prevent-it.ca to learn about workplace safety for a chance to win phones, Xbox 360s, MP3 players and scholarships. As everyone plays a part in workplace safety, the message isn't only for young workers. Parental and employer components are also included in the campaign. A booklet entitled "A Parents Guide to Keeping Teens Safe at Work" is full of tips to help parents talk to their teenagers about safety. It can be downloaded from prevent-it.ca. In addition, an employer kit targeting employers in industries with large numbers of summer students highlights the importance of making health and safety top-of-mind in their workplace, especially for young workers.

First Heat Alert Of 2007 http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2007/24/c4486.html TORONTO, May 24 /CNW/ - Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health has issued the first heat alert for the season for today, Thursday, May 24. The first heat alert of 2006 occurred last year on May 29.  During a heat alert the public is encouraged to call or visit friends and neighbours who are at risk of suffering health consequences because of hot weather. People at greatest risk include the elderly, infants and young children, the chronically ill, and those taking certain medications. Hot weather early in the season can have a more significant impact on vulnerable people as they have not yet adjusted to warmer temperatures. The public is advised to "Beat the Heat" by taking these precautions: - drink lots of water and natural fruit juices - stay out of the blazing sun or heat - avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors - go to air conditioned places, including shopping malls, one of Toronto's 96 libraries, or 81 community centres - never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car - landlords of buildings without air conditioning are encouraged to set up dedicated cool rooms and check on vulnerable tenants.

Protect Yourself from the Sun The Canadian Cancer Society Supports Sun Awareness Week, May 28 to June 7 TORONTO, May 24 /CNW/ - This year, tens of thousands of Canadians will develop skin cancer primarily because of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canada. During Sun Awareness Week, the Canadian Cancer Society urges Canadians to protect themselves and their families from overexposure to the sun. In Canada, sunlight is strong enough to cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. The risk of skin cancer is increasing because people are spending more time outdoors, often without proper protection. In addition, people are exposed to more ultraviolet rays because the ozone layer is thinning. Taking steps to protect yourself from UV light is the best way you can protect yourself from skin cancer. When you are outside, reduce your risk of cancer by following the Canadian Cancer Society's SunSense guidelines: - Reduce your sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. - Seek shade or create your own - When you are in the sun, always remember SLIP, SLAP, SLOP - SLIP on clothing to cover your arms and legs - SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat - SLOP on sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) - Keep babies under one year old out of direct sun.