Learning from Past Tragedy

1
Learning from Past Tragedy
National Youth Safety Conference Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories October 22 24, 2004
Maureen C. Shaw, President CEO Industrial
Accident Prevention Association
(IAPA) 1-800-406-IAPA (4272) www.iapa.ca
2
NWT and Nunavut 2003 Young Workers between 15 -
24 years

• Employment 3,300
• Lost time Injuries 106
• Claims 345

Over 10 of young workers had a workplace claim
in 2003 Every second working day there is a lost
time injury (time off work).
3
Canadian Youth Worker Statistics

• MORE YOUNG PEOPLE DIE of injuries than all other
  diseases combined
• SIX TIMES more injuries happen to young people in
  their first month than any other time on the job
• OVER TWO THIRDS of young workers have never
  received a safety training manual for their job
• OVER HALF of young workers have received
  absolutely NO SAFETY TRAINING for new jobs.

4
Canada Young Workers between 15 - 24 years

• There were nearly 60,000 lost time injuries
  across Canada. This is equivalent to 161 injuries
  every single day or 4 school buses per day
• More than 100 young workers died last year
• Every 8 minutes, every day of the year, a young
  Canadian under 25 is injured seriously enough to
  receive workers compensation
• Young workers between 16 24 have nearly 40
  higher accident rates compared to other workers
• There is a direct link between job experience and
  injuries.

5
(No Transcript)
6
Rob Ellis, Father of David, dedicated champion to
prevention of injuries and death amongst our youth

• Hundreds of speeches and presentations each year
  since Davids workplace fatality
• Honourary Chair Friends of the LifeQuilt

7
LifeQuilt Launched in April 2003
8
The LifeQuilt provides a visual memorial to youth
injured or killed at work. The symbolism of the
LifeQuilt is a call to action to prevent the loss
of our youth to workplace tragedies.
9
24 years oldEngulfed by avalanche
Peter Barnabas, 24, Arctic Bay, Nunavut Peter
worked as a hunter and trapper. On March 7, 1999,
while hunting, Peter was engulfed by an avalanche.
10
22 years oldKilled in ahelicopter crash
Michael Eugene Daniska, 22, Airforce Island,
north of Iqualuit, Nunavut  Michael died on
August 9, 2001 when the helicopter in which he
was riding crashed and burned while approaching a
landing site to pick up a worker and some mineral
samples. He was a University of Victoria student
studying geology. Michael loved mountain biking,
hiking, swimming, fishing and snowboarding.
11
22 years oldKilled while drillingon an oil rig
Jason Stewart, 23, Inuvik, Northwest
Territories Jason was caught in a vertical drill
on an oil rig on Beaufort Delta, outside of
Inuvik on March 17, 2001. Jason had a passion for
education. He also loved hockey, boxing, music,
hunting and ski-doing. A responsible worker and
partner, Jason was also an extremely kind,
generous and loving partner, father, friend,
uncle and son.
12
Injured worker
Families viewing their loved ones
13
Some of the families of the young workers
commemorated on the LifeQuilt
Alone we can do so little together we can do so
much. Helen Keller
14
Excerpts from parents of young workers
commemorated on the LifeQuilt

• Our son, is part of your wonderful quilt. Thank
  you for making this happen. My husband and his
  sister and I were at the unveiling in Edmonton
  last Tuesday. It was very moving but hard. In
  some ways I felt as if I was attending one of his
  hockey games. I found that I was feeling that
  pride that a Mom feels for her child and the joy
  that I used to be able to share with friends when
  we were at a function for the kids. It was very
  special.
• Thank you.

15
Excerpts from parents of young workers
commemorated on the LifeQuilt contd

• As a parent of a young worker killed on the job
  I want to thank you. Thank you to the person who
  first conceived the idea of the LifeQuilt, to the
  executives who approved the idea, the artist who
  had such great vision, all those who worked so
  hard at putting the conference together, the
  volunteers who stitched each quilt block and all
  those involved in whatever manner. It was clear
  to me that what may have started out as the next
  project became a labor or love. Thanks to all
  of the you who care. I want you to know that
  there are a hundred families who will look at the
  quilt and feel grateful that their child will not
  be forgotten, that their face, their name, their
  story will be remembered, that hopefully the pain
  we suffered on losing our son, to a senseless
  workplace accident may not happen to someone else
  because of your efforts. If even one life is
  saved it was worth it.

16
Excerpts from parents of young workers
commemorated on the LifeQuilt contd

• Hope as many people as possible will see the
  quilt and become aware of the importance of
  safety on the job because they dont want other
  families to experience the heartache of losing a
  son or daughter
• Advice from a parent
• Now, she tells her youngest son (15), not to do a
  job if it makes him feel uncomfortable, or if he
  has any concerns about his safety.

17

• Supported by hundreds of workers through their
  union locals and provincial and national
  federations
• Individual volunteers working to create
  solutions, sharing the demand for a breakthrough
  in prevention
• Compensation Boards, Safety Associations, Unions,
  Businesses, Parents, Teachers coming together to
  be part of the solution.
• Where are You?
• Be a SOLUTION AMBASSADOR

18

• Solutions require us to come together with our
  head, our heart and our hands to use our
  collective talents and resources to make the
  message and techniques stick
• The LifeQuilt is a symbol - a call to action - it
  is NOT the solution.

19

• Join the call, support the LifeQuilt by becoming
  a partner, sponsor supporter
• Use the LifeQuilt to galvanize workplaces,
  schools, communities
• For more information
• Visit www.youngworkerquilt.ca
• Call IAPA at 1-800-669-4939 ext. 306 or
• Call the Workers Health and Safety Centre at
  1-888-869-7950

LIFEQUILTProtect The Future Of Young People
20
Shirley Hickman, Mother of Tim is offering her
leadership, bringing together families to

• Provide referrals to appropriate counseling
• Support and assist families of workers who have
  suffered a fatal or very serious workplace injury
  or illness
• Provide support through the workplace
  investigation and inquest process
• Offer a voice to promote workplace injury
  prevention within the community

21
Young Worker Health and Safety Programs

• Young Workers Awareness Program
• Passport to Safety
• Introduction of health and safety into high
  school curriculum grades 9 through 12
• Live Safe! Work Smart! has matched the Ministry
  of Education curriculum requirements with
  customized health and safety resources

22
Young Worker Health and Safety Programs cont'd...

• Across the Country the tide is starting to turn
• Safety and the Young Worker Workers
  Compensation Board of Northwest Territories and
  Nunavut
• Young Worker Health and Safety Centre Worksafe
  BC
• New and Young Workers Alberta Human Resources
  and Employment

23
Rights and Responsibilities

• As governments, employers and employees we all
• Have a right to refuse work that is unsafe
• Ensure that we keep our workplaces safe
• As Parents
• Are you familiar with your sons or daughters
  workplace?
• Have you asked them about job-specific health and
  safety training?

24
Rights and Responsibilities cont'd...

• As a young worker
• Do you know that you have the right to a healthy
  and safe workplace?
• Are you old enough to work?
• Do you know about your responsibilities?
• Are you aware of the hazards

25
Marc Shaw
26
The Shaw Family at Marcs Graduation
27
LIFE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN
Life is like a mountain You have your peaks and
valleys, The valleys are your lows Dark, dank,
and cold The peaks are your highs Bright, white,
you feel like you can fly When you hit the peak
the view is spectacular You see the next peak and
you want to check out its view But the valley is
there so you have to cruise To see the next
sight The valley becomes less significant Because
you know each view is more spectacular than the
next
Marc Shaw April 2002
28
Employing Young Workers
Tips for Employers and Supervisors
29
Youth Websites

• The Ontario Ministry of Labour launched
  www.WorkSmartOntario.gov.on.ca that provides
  comprehensive information about health and safety
  issues as well as employment standards
• CCOHS has launched a national website
  www.jobone/ccohs.ca to provide youth access to
  health and safety information regardless of where
  they live and what exists in their jurisdiction
• Canadian National Occupational Health Safety
  website www.canoshweb.org/en/youngworkers.html
  offering a list of links to a series of
  occupational health and safety resources for
  young workers

30
Vision
"A World where risks are controlled because
everyone believes suffering and loss are morally,
socially and economically unacceptable."
31
Its About Making A Difference.
We must be the change we wish to see in the
world Gandhi
32

• 87 years of health safety
• 225 committed, skilled employees
• 100 consultants/specialists
• 900 Volunteers

Alone we can do so little together we can do so
much. Helen Keller
33

• 19,000 consulting interventions
• 27,000 training participants
• 48,000 youth participants
• Historic first below 2 LTI

I feel the greatest reward, for doing is the
opportunity to do more. Dr. Jonas Salk
34

• Collaborating Centre ILO / WHO
• National / International collaboration
• A focus on young and new workers
• Centre of Excellence

Coming together is a beginning Keeping together
is progress Working together is success.
Henry Ford