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June, 2006:
QUEEN’S
PARK – The McGuinty government is urging students, their
parents and their employers to make sure that summer jobs are
safe and healthy, Labour Minister Steve Peters said today.
"We are committed to Ontario families, and that is why we want
their sons and daughters to come home from work safe and
sound," said Peters.
"For many students, it will be their first venture into the
working world. These young workers, their parents, and
especially their employers, should take extra time to ensure
that students are aware of their rights and responsibilities
and that they know how to work safely, including not doing
work they feel is unsafe," he added. "We must always remember
that no job is worth an injury; no job is worth a death."
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) is providing a young worker
portal on its website with links regarding employment
standards and occupational health and safety. The link can be
found at
www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/site/youngworkers.html.
As
well, MOL inspectors have been directed to focus on sections
of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that oblige
employers to provide orientation, training and supervision to
ensure young and new workers work safely.
The government has set a goal of reducing workplace injuries
by 20 per cent by 2008. In addition to providing information
to young workers, the government and its health and safety
partners are:
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Hiring 200
new health and safety inspectors. Of these, 131 are
already working across Ontario. All 200 will be carrying
out inspections of high-risk workplaces early next year. |
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Focusing ministry inspections on
firms with the highest injury rate and highest
WSIB
costs--up to 6,000 annually--and inspecting them up to
four times a year. |
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Giving more
than 5,000 other workplaces per year a “last chance” to
voluntarily improve their health and safety records with
the help of the
WSIB and 12 health and safety associations. |
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Launching
the Pains and Strains Campaign to help reduce
ergonomic-related injuries, which account for 42 per
cent of all lost-time injuries in Ontario. |
“For young people, a summer job is exciting, a chance to earn
some money and to get a taste of the world outside of school,”
said Peters. “By providing information and enhanced
enforcement to young workers, our government is strengthening
its commitment to Ontario families and their safety.”
Source:
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/2006/06-62.html
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