Recently the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers' of Labour met in Halifax to discuss a range of issues including occupational health and safety for youth.
Discussions of workplace health and safety for youth focussed on the recommendations emerging from a national conference on this subject held in Ottawa in October 2000. Ministers compared notes on the extensive range of initiatives taken by Ministries of Labour to respond to this issue and agreed to increase exchanges and consultations among governments and with the Workers' Compensation Boards in their jurisdictions to pursue this critical issue.
"The health and safety of our young people in the workforce is critical," says Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister Responsible for Labour in Prince Edward Island. "While there are already initiatives underway to educate young people, there is still much to be done to decrease the number of accidents experienced by young workers each year."
The report recommendations called for the establishment of a national health and safety awareness program focussed on youth, families and children and the immediate formation of Youth Health and Safety Advisory Committees within each territory and province and at the national level.
"Following discussion regarding these recommendations, it is my plan to request the Occupational Health and Safety Council establish a youth health and safety sub-committee in Prince Edward Island in the coming year," says Minister Shea.
Minister Shea stressed the importance of education and accident prevention, themes which will be integrated into the curriculum in Island schools. The Minister stated, "I am pleased to say that the PEI Workers Compensation Board has already started working with the education system on this project."
In December 2000, amendments were made to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide for strengthened occupational health and safety policies and committees in workplaces. Minister Shea said she believes these changes will lead to safer workplaces for youth.
"Injuries to young people in the workplace last year amounted to 10 billion dollars in Canada," says Minister Shea. "We cannot let this staggering statistic continue, and it is my intention to continue to work with the Workers Compensation Board on initiatives which focus on education and accident prevention for young people."