By Ben Rowe
Tim Hickman was using an ice-resurfacing machine at his job at a London arena when gas vapours ignited, killing him at the age of 20.
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Joe Guido |
David Ellis, 18, was on his second day of his job at a bakery when he fell into an industrial mixer and died.
These are the kinds of accidents that can be avoided through education and preparation, according to Joe Guido of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 6500.
?Education is the best cure,? he said.
Sunday, May 28 is the official day of mourning for people who have been killed on the job. Memorial services will be held at noon at Tom Davies Square foyer. A lunch will follow at the Steelworkers? Hall on Frood Road.
Almost a third of workplace injuries in Canada happen to young workers between the ages of 15 and 24, according to a spokesperson from the Workers Health and Safety Centre.
Sixty-one young workers were killed on the job last year, with another 68,000 getting some sort of injury, including lost limbs and eyes.
One of five union safety spokespeople speaking to students at area schools, Guido took his message to Lasalle Secondary last week.
He also made presentations at Sudbury Secondary and Confederation Secondary in Val Caron.
Guido told the students that they had rights and responsibilities when on the job. He gave them lists of the top five critical injuries suffered by young workers: broken bones, severe burns or scalds, head injuries and amputations.
The chief causes of these injuries are slips and falls, overexertion, toxic effects from chemicals and burns, Guido explained.
But workers have three rights. Every employee has the right to know about health and safety hazards in the workplace, as well as have a say in decisions, inspections and testing of the hazards.
They can also refuse to do work that they have reason to believe is unsafe.
?We try to stress the three rights, especially the right to know. You?ve got to know what you?re working with.?
Guido gave the young people tips about what to do if hurt at work, such as getting immediate first aid, reporting the injury to a supervisor and filling out a report.
With those rights come responsibilities. Workers are obligated to work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a copy of which must be posted in the work area.
Workers must use or wear any equipment, protective gear or clothing required by the employer. They must also point out to a supervisor any known missing or defective equipment.
Guido feels the message is getting across. ?The feedback that we?re getting from the teachers and the students is very positive.?
The school presentations are done the week prior to lead the Day of Mourning. April 28 was chosen in 1991 as a day of remembrance because this was the day the third reading took place for the first comprehensive Worker?s Compensation Act (Ontario 1914) in Canada.
