Unit Two- Career Choices

4. Lesson Four: Workplace Safety

• workplace safety is a shared responsibility between employee and employer
• some strategies for being safe at work
• how to deal with an employer that does not maintain a safe environment

Are you at risk at your job? Find out, using these common risk factors.

Check all that apply to you.

(   ) I've had my job for less than six months .
(  ) I'm a guy. (don't be offended, you're seriously more at risk)
(  ) I'm between 15 - 24 years of age.

(  ) I sometimes go partying.
(  ) I sometimes get very few hours of sleep before starting work.
(  ) I'm always under pressure to work quickly .

(  ) I tend to think an accident won't ever happen to me. 

(  ) I've never had safety training for my specific job.
(  ) I try to impress my boss or co-workers and don't like asking questions.

(  ) I use the same tool all day long.
(  ) I have to lift, push, or pull heavy things.
(  ) I use chemicals or work around toxic substances or gases.
(  ) I sometimes use a ladder or climb onto something else to reach things.

(  ) I work alone.
(  ) I work in a crowded area.
(  ) It's very noisy where I work.
(  ) I work in extremely hot or cold conditions.

(  ) I drive or operate moving equipment or machinery.
(  ) I work around electrical equipment or power lines.
(  ) I work around an oven, deep fryer, or other hot objects or substances.

If you checked even one, a workplace injury could do more than ruin your weekend. The great thing is that you can change it - you can learn safety at work.

Did you know?

Over 50% of all accidents involving young workers occur during their first six months on the job. Make sure you get safety training - it's your right!

It’ll never happen to me!!

Here’s reality. Lots of people your age have been hurt while at work. They didn’t plan it, they didn’t
expect it. You too, could lose a finger, a leg or spend months or years in the hospital. You may
never be able to play your favorite sport again. Or go dancing. Or drive a car...
Still don’t think it could happen to you? It can.
In Alberta in the year 2000, 13 young people were killed on the job. That’s 13 funerals, 13 families.
We’re not talking about gang violence or drunk driving. These were kids who had jobs…kids who
were killed — at work.

Who’s important in your life? Who do you care about?
How would you feel if they didn’t come home from work one day? Or if they could no longer walk?
Real life, real people

Timothy Hamilton*, a 19 year old high school graduate, working to make money for college, was killed at work less than two months after he was hired. Tim was asked to raise a 28 foot (8.53 in) aluminum center pole from inside a large canvas tent.
Above the tent, where Tim couldn’t see, was a 14,400 volt power only 27 feet (8.23m) off the ground. Tim was electrocuted and died instantly. Even though the law requires employers to keep
workers 10 feet (3.05m) away from such live power lines, Tim was asked to do something dangerous. The company was fined $100,000 for failing to protect its workers. But that didn’t give
Tim his life back.

* used with the permission of Tim’s family 

Mel Camilli*

At 21 years of age, had every reason to enjoy life — a well paying job, a girlfriend, and a promising career in forestry. But, in a split second, his world changed. While doing a routine task, he was trapped by a 100 ton piece of machinery. His right leg was severed immediately and his left leg was amputated a few months later. “I knew there were things I would never do and things I would have to learn to do all over again. I resigned myself to never having a girlfriend or a wife,” recalls Mel. 

Instead of dating, playing sports, traveling, or any of the usual things his friends were doing, Mel was learning to live each day. Today, Mel is married with a family. He enjoys wheelchair basketball and hockey and works with computers by day. But, his life hasn’t been easy. So, if you’ve got questions,” Mel says, if you’ve got concerns for your safety — or for the safety of your coworkers — speak up.”

* used with the permission of Worker? Compensation Board of British Columbia

 A hazard is any situation that could result in injury disease, or death

Your employer asks you to remain working after midnight and you’re 15 years old. What would you do?

Real life, real people

Nicole’s story*
I work part time at a small fast food restaurant in my town. Our specialties are burgers and fries but we have a lot of other stuff too, it’s a really busy place and we are always running to keep up
with the customers. We all share in the work when it comes to getting the fries cooking. Two years ago, when I was dumping some fries in the hot oil to cook, there was a big splash. The hot oil covered my left arm and splashed my body in a few other places. 

The pain was unbelievable. I received third degree burns to my arm. It took 14 months of skin grafts to get my arm to heal and
there’s a major scar that will never go away. I never dreamed that anything like this would ever happen to me.
* used with the permission of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Ontario

A department store hired a 16 year old to work alone after school as a cleaner. One of his tasks was to cram discarded cardboard into a compactor baler. His body was found trapped in the baler.

You work in a restaurant and your boss isn’t around much. The head cook is in charge and thinks its fun to throw knives to other workers in the kitchen. You know this is dangerous and puts
everyone at risk. You know you have a right to a safe workplace. What should you do?

Cindy’s story*
My older brother Scott was working for an electrical contractor. They were rewiring some machine on an assembly line in a factory. It was supposedly a small job. They were only supposed to be there for the morning. Scott started undoing the screws where the wires attach and he got electrocuted. He died almost immediately they said. We found out later that the electrical
connections hadn’t been locked out” but Scott didn’t know it. If the machine had been locked out, there wouldn’t have been any power in the wires. Scott used to talk about his job all the time. But he never, ever said anything about health or safety training. The investigation showed that Scott never had any kind of health or safety training for his job— even though it was his right I wish Scott had known about his rights. He would probably still be alive. I miss Scott so much. It’s so different without him around. I still can’t believe he’s gone.

*used with the permission of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Ontario

Rob’s story*
I know all about getting injured at work. It happened to me. I got a job last summer working with a homebuilder. We were putting the floor on a new house. I backed up a couple of steps and
BOOM! The next thing I know I’m laying in the basement of this place and my leg is broken. The pain was so intense. I was screaming. They took me to the hospital and put a plate and pins in my leg, just below my knee. The doctor says if I’m lucky, I’ll get the full movement back. But it’s already been a year. It is getting better but it’s really slow. Nobody ever told me that openings in
the floor should be barricaded to keep us from slipping through them. If only they had told me.

*used with the permission of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Ontario

Job shadowing/work experience

No big deal right? Wrong! Even if it’s only for a few hours or a few days doing work experience or job shadowing, ask your supervisor to explain the risks of the job site and how to protect yourself. Accidents have happened to students too.

A perfectly safe workplace would have no hazards. There would be no machines, equipment or materials that could harm you — nothing would malfunction, not even humans! Unfortunately, many workplace hazards are so familiar that we ignore them and put ourselves, and sometimes others, at risk.

A 17-year-old groundskeeper didn’t know that the gloves he was wearing had been in contact with gasoline. When he struck a lighter, the gloves caught fire and he received third degree burns to his arm and back.
How do you find a hazard?
Ask yourself what if? questions. What if I bump into the open containers of hot oil? What if the forklift tips over on my co-worker in a fast turn? What if I inhale the toxic fumes from the toilet cleaning chemicals?
Learning to spot a hazard — before an accident happens — is the first step to staying safe. Every job will have slightly different hazards. The medical field, for example, will have different hazards than the logging industry. Wherever you work, there are 3 main types of hazards:
Physical hazards
Equipment, machinery or tools Very hot or cold temperatures
Examples:
• Using the same tool all day long
• Being crushed by equipment
• Using electric equipment with frayed cords
• Tripping on items lying on the floor
• Falling from heights
• Working in a noisy place
Biological hazards
Bacteria, insects, viruses, fungi, mold or plant materials
Examples:
• Bee stings
• Allergic reaction to plants, insects or mold
• Being in contact with materials where viruses or bacteria are present
Chemical hazards
Vapors, gases, dusts, fumes, or chemical mists
Examples:
• Using cleaning products regularly
• Using paint materials regularly
• Working around lots of dust
• Exposure to asbestos
• Using toxic chemicals

Did you know that it’s against the law for anyone to force you to do work that you think is unsafe? Did you also know that it’s against the law for an employer to operate an unsafe business? You have a right to work in a safe environment. Know your rights.
• Right to know - about workplace hazards BEFORE you start work
• Right to refuse ...unsafe work
Unsafe work - What is it?
‘Any task where you believe there is danger to your health or safety or that of another worker. The regulations define imminent danger as danger that is not — or shouldn’t be — a normal part of the job. (For example: entering an unprotected trench).
• It’s a situation where the risks to your safety outweigh your ability to protect yourself. If you feel you are in imminent danger, remove yourself from the situation and talk your supervisor.
Work alone?
Will someone hear you if you’re in trouble? Working alone means working where help is not readily available in the event of an injury illness or emergency. It’s another kind of hazard. To find out more and to obtain a free copy of the handbook, Working Alone Safely, call the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre at 1-866-415-8690 or visit www.whs.gov.ab.ca.
If you are hurt at work
Even if your employer has a good injury prevention program, you or one of your co-workers could be hurt on the job. Here’s what to do.
1. Tell your employer
2. Get medical treatment, if required
3. Fill out a WCB Report of Injury form
Think your injury is no big deal? Follow these steps anyway. The information will help your doctor to best-treat your injury It will also help your employer find ways to improve workplace health arid safety practices — to prevent a similar or worse injury from happening-again.
“Don’t let a work ethic kill you. Julia Hamilton (19-year-old son was killed at work)
You gotta do it
You have a part to play too —just like it’s up to a cyclist to wear a helmet or a skydiver to pull their own ripcord. By law, workers must take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety — and that of other workers on the job site. As a worker, you’ve got to:
• follow the health and safety procedures for your job
• ask for training if you don’t know how to do something safely
• work safely and encourage your co-workers to do the same
• use all provided personal protective equipment and clothing
• Immediately report any unsafe conditions to your supervisor
• inform your supervisor if you have a physical, mental or emotional issue that could affect your ability to work safely.
Drive a car? Ever take a defensive driving course? Even though you may have the right-of-way, that doesn’t mean other drivers follow the rules. You have to watch out for yourself. Job safety Is no different. Learn to spot danger ahead of time — avoid the crash.
Employer’s responsibilities
Your boss has a duty to watch out for your health and safety—as far as is reasonable to do so. Bottom line, the law says your boss must:
• make sure you have the necessary training, qualifications and experience for the job
• Let you know about all safety hazards at your job
• provide certain types of safety equipment
• make sure you know how to use your safety equipment
• train you to handle dangerous products
• investigate any accidents that caused injuries
• investigate any “near misses”
• meet the Employment Standards Code.
Rules of the game
Ever wonder how many hours you have to work before you get a break? What about getting paid for overtime? What’s the minimum wage? Are you old enough to work the graveyard shift? How much notice should you give? Are you entitled to maternity leave? In Alberta, the Employment Standards Code provides the answers to these questions and more. To find out more about the rules of the game, call toll-free anywhere in Alberta, 310-0000 and dial 427-3731 or surf over to www.gov.abca/hre/employmentstandards

One of the most important parts of your job is your ability to communicate with your employer — effectively. Learn how to do it right so your boss understands how important safety is to you. Learn how to speak up for yourself and for your rights.

10 Questions to ask your employer
Getting ready for a job interview or starting a new job Ask these questions. Find out how serious your boss will be about your safety.
1. What are the dangers of my job?
2. Are there any other hazards that I should know about?
3. Will I receive job training?
4. Do you have safety meetings?
5. Is there safety equipment I’ll be expected to wear? Will I receive training in how to use it? When?
6. Will I be trained in emergency procedures (fire, chemical spill...) When?
7. Where are fire extinguishers, first aid kits and other emergency equipment located?
8. What do I do if I get hurt? Who is the first aid person?
9. What are my health and safety responsibilities?
10. Who do I ask if I have a health or safety question?

How did your employer do?
You can check your employer’s answers with the facts below.
1. By law, your employer must tell you about any hazards at the workplace.
2. Not all hazards affect you right away. High noise levels, over time, lead to hearing loss. Working with radiation, dusts and chemicals can increase your risk of diseases like cancer. Your employer must tell you about these hidden hazards.
3. Your employer must make sure you have the skills to safely do your work. If you’re still learning, you must be under the direct supervision of someone who has these skills. Learn all the skills you need before you do a new job on your own or alone.
4. Safety meetings are not mandatory in Alberta but if your employer holds them, it’s a sign of their commitment to your safety.
5. Lungs and ears...The law requires employers to provide protective equipment where there is a breathing hazard or where legal noise limits are exceeded. However, your employer isn’t required to provide hard hats, safety boots, fire resistant clothing or eye protection. If safety equipment is necessary, your employer must make sure you use it.
6. You must be trained in emergency procedures — in case of fire, chemical spills, etc. If you’re working with chemicals, special training is required before you start work.
7. Your employer must control the hazards at your workplace by providing fire extinguishers and other special equipment. You must be told where this stuff is and how to use it.
8. If you’re injured, get first aid and report your injury to your employer as quickly as possible. The law says your employer must provide on-site first aid equipment. Most employers are required to have people present with first aid training.
9. You are expected to do your best to protect your own and your co-workers’ health and safety. This means if you’re asked to do something that may put you or your co-workers in danger, the law says you must refuse to do that task.
10. If you have a health or safety question, the first person you should ask is your employer, usually your supervisor, as they know your workplace the best. You can also phone the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre. It’s a free, confidential call, 1-866-415-8690. Or you can go to the Web site at www.whs.gov.ab.ca.

Tough guy?
If you’re a guy age 15-24, you are more likely to be Injured on the job than any other worker.
The safety partnership
Your safety is a partnership between you and the employer. When the partnership is working well, it might look like this.

• Tells you there is a hazard / Listen up! Pay attention.

• Provides training / Take the training

• Hold safety meetings / Attend the meetings

• Provides protective equipment / Know where the are and how to use them

• Provides fire extinguishers / Know where they are and how to use them

• Provides trained first aid staff and kits / Know who and where they are

Sometimes you may have to take the lead fur the partnership to work effectively. Then it may look like this.

• Ignores safety / Talk to your employer about the benefits of workplace safety. Be involved in making changes.

• Asks you to do something dangerous / Don’t do it. Talk it out. Take a stand. Share the information on this page with them.

To start things off on the right foot, ask your employer to give you a safety orientation to your worksite.

Say “No”? Yeah right. I finally landed this job and I want it to work out. How can I tell my supervisor I won’t do something if it’s dangerous?
Although it may be awkward to talk about, most employers want to keep their workers safe and appreciate hearing suggestions — it makes their job easier. A safe workplace also means lower insurance premiums for your employer. Pointing out safety concerns and the benefits of a safe workplace can be a great way to gain the respect of your boss. It’s also your responsibility as a worker.

The law protects you
Each Canadian province has a law to help keep work sites safe and healthy. It’s called the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S) in Alberta. These laws are a little different in each province. In Alberta, call the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre at 1-866-415-8690 or visit the Web site at www.whs.gov.ab.ca. You don’t have to tell them your name.

Survival tips:
You may want to first ask the advice of a trusted co-worker. Then, try to work things out with your direct supervisor. Only speak with their boss if your supervisor doesn’t deal with your concerns. Don’t go over any heads first.
When you approach your supervisor, make sure your attitude is respectful and positive — it’ll show when you’re talking. Express your desire for doing the job right, doing it safely. Here are some examples:
• Politely ask your supervisor for a minute of their time. Then say...
“I really want to make sure I do this job right. What should I know about doing it safely?”
“I’d like to do this job but I think it could be dangerous. [say why] What do you think?”
“I need some training before I do this job. Any suggestions?”
Depending on the situation, a good supervisor may choose to:
• remove any hazards so the task is safe (if that’s possible)
• train you on-the-spot
• get another worker to do the task until you’ve received training
• arrange for you to learn by working with another worker who has experience.

The boss insists
If you’ve tried to talk to your employer and he/she still insists that you do unsafe work, here are some examples of what you can say:
“I’ve been taught that it’s against the law for me to do a task that I believe could be dangerous. I really like my job but I can’t do this task...
...until I’ve got training to do it safely
...until the equipment is working properly
...until someone holds the base of the ladder
…until I’ve got a respirator so I don’t get sick from the fumes
…until we’re both certain that I can do this job’ without getting injured.”
What if my boss wants me to do something right away and I’ve got a gut feeling that it’s not safe?
Trust your gut. If in doubt, don’t do it. Then use any of the survival tips above to deal with your boss. Or you may think of a better way. Remember, do it with respect, stay calm and you’ll be okay.

Keep your cool
Every boss will react a little differently. Most employers will be grateful for your input, but others may not be. You may express your concern once and everything may turn out great. Or, you may have to talk with your boss several times before things change. Your boss might get impatient or even angry, but things may still turn out okay — or not. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee for the perfect ending.

You can’t be fired!
Wait a minute. If I tell my boss I think a job is unsafe, I’ll get fired. Right?
Wrong! That would be illegal. The Occupational Health and Safety Act states: No person shall dismiss or take any other disciplinary action against a worker because that person did what this Act told them to do.

Tough choices
If you’ve tried to work things out with your boss and it’s not going great, you may decide to quit your job if your health or safety is at risk. Your life is more important than any job. It’s more important than your work ethic or your résumé. And, even though the law says you can’t be fired for refusing unsafe work, you could come across an employer who doesn’t handle things properly and lets you go. Of course, you’d have every right to take legal action and you may wish to report the employer. To get help, call the Workplace Health and Safety Call Centre at 1-866-415-8690 or visit the Web site at www.whs.gov.ab.ca.