30 l ROOFINGBC l FALL 2018 FEATURE W orkSafeBC data shows that between 2008 and 2017, 761 young workers in roofing occupations in B.C. were injured. Among the top five incident types were: struck by, fall from elevation, overexertion, struck against, and fall on the same level. Of the approximately 320,000 young workers aged 15 to 24 in B.C., about 6,400 of these workers are injured annu- ally across all industries. WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation sections 3.23 to 3.25 outline requirements for the orientation and training of young and new workers by all employers, which must include instruc- tion in the young worker’s work task or process, emergency procedures and work- place health and safety rules. Employers who foster a work- place culture in which questions and concerns about health and safety issues are welcomed help play a critical role in ensuring young workers and supervi- sors understand their rights and respon- sibilities. According to Brian Tuccori, WorkSafeBC occupational safety officer, effective supervision is a crucial element of young worker safety. “Young workers have a tendency to rush in and get to work,” Tuccori says. “It’s up to senior roofers and employers to make sure young workers are being shown the correct application and the correct way to work with regard to safety. Open up a dialogue – it’s very difficult for many young workers to open up and ask ques- tions. We are encouraging young workers to speak up and listen to their gut when they feel something is unsafe.” Research from the Institute for Work and Health in Ontario shows that workers are most at risk of being injured when they’re new to the job, and more than half of all serious injuries occur during the first six months of employment. In B.C., the 2016 injury rate per an estimated 100 young male workers was 2.7 – higher than the provincial injury rate for all workers of 2.2. Young males account for approximately 68 per cent of all young-worker injuries, compared to 32 per cent for young females. WorkSafeBC’s 2018-2020 Construction High Risk Strategy includes a focus on planning and supervision, which are key to preventing injury of young workers. Officers are engaging owners, prime contractors, employers, supervisors and workers to promote effective supervision and planning to prevent unsafe working conditions and practices. WorkSafeBC also offers a free online supervisor course at supervisingforsafety.com. Tuccori likes to hear firsthand from the young workers on the worksites he inspects: “I ask them to explain their job to me,” he says. “They often come up with ways of thinking outside the box that can be innovative, but also have the potential to be unsafe. I want them to understand that while we are the regu- lator we are also a resource – our job is to consult, educate and, when neces- sary, to enforce. I want them to know they can call the prevention information line anytime if they have questions or concerns. WorkSafeBC is here to help.” WorkSafeBC continues to focus prevention efforts on young workers, concentrating on industries that pose the highest risk, partnering with health and safety associations, organized labour, government, parents, community groups, schools, industry training centres, and employment centres to increase awareness of young worker health and safety issues. WorkSafeBC’s outreach to young workers includes: •  the Student WorkSafe resource package for high school career educa- tion courses; •  the Young Worker Speakers Program; •  the Student Safety Video Contest; •  the Listen To Your Gut public- awareness campaign; and •  the What I Know Now employer- focused campaign designed to foster conversations about workplace safety and responsibility. WorkSafeBC also partners with external stakeholders such as the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) to respond to evolving industry challenges and risks. Workers can contact WorkSafeBC with health and safety questions or concerns at any time toll-free by calling 1.888.621.7233. For more resources, go to www.worksafebc.com SPEAK UP Submitted By WORKSAFEBC Young worker safety in B.C.’s roofing industry WORKING TOGETHER WorkSafeBC Prevention Officers regularly present to first-year apprentices at the Roofing Contractors Association of BC on workplace hazards, including: ladder safety, fall protec- tion, asbestos exposure prevention, excavation safety, worker rights and responsibilities and the injury claims process.