News release

Keeping Young Workers Safe on the Job

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Government is working to keep young people safe on the job.

Last week occupational health and safety officers conducted a safety education blitz at 109 retail, service, and fast food businesses across the province. They targeted workers between the ages of 18 and 30 to explain their rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

"Establishing a commitment to safety early on in a person's career is critical," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "These visits give us the opportunity to get in front of young people and make sure they know their rights and responsibilities when it comes to safety in the workplace."

During the blitz, occupational health and safety officers delivered sessions to more than 260 young workers as well as several student groups at Saint Mary's University.

These visits are a part of government's efforts to improve workplace safety. Officers have already exceeded the total number of targeted inspections of high-risk employers and industries conducted last year. Since January 1, they have conducted more than 944 targeted inspections of 714 businesses issuing a total of 1,146 orders and 1,476 warnings.