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September 9th, 2010 |
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 For more information about Prince Edward Island, Canada, consult the Government of PEI website. |
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Think You Are Invincible? New Poster Focuses on Youth Health and Safety - July 2003
"Think you are invincible? On average, five young workers are injured every week on Prince Edward Island. Think Again! You Could Be Next!" This is the message the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is getting out to young workers on Prince Edward Island this summer with the help of the Government of Canada's Labour Program, the PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the provincial youth health and safety representative. The Chair of the Workers Compensation Board, Jim Lee, commented that the “‘Think you are invincible’ poster campaign is intended to raise awareness among young people by showing that all workplaces have hazards and new or inexperienced workers are especially at risk.” "Workplace safety among young workers is essential. On average one young worker is injured each day on Prince Edward Island," said Mr. Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Federal Minister of Labour. "Together the federal and provincial governments are ensuring young people work in safe environments and this new poster is one more way to promote the health and safety message." The Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Elmer MacFadyen, said he is "pleased to participate in the joint launch of the poster campaign that will heighten workplace health and safety awareness for youth on Prince Edward Island." The Minister explained that "the poster's message is linked to findings of a research study on young workers and workplace injuries conducted in 2000, by the Angus Reid Group for the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia. One of the key findings of the research was that inexperience and lack of knowledge contribute to attitudes that result in risk-taking in the workplace and in their everyday lives." PEI's youth delegate, Joey Mokler, explained that his role as a member of the Cross Canada Youth Advisory Committee includes working with the WCB and government on initiatives that promote young worker safety in the province. "In regard to the development of the new poster, my task was to work with WCB staff to generate ideas that would relate to youth, and at the same time reflect the reality of workplace injury statistics. The ‘Think you are Invincible?’ concept does this, and it is our hope that it will generate needed awareness for youth, whether they are starting work for the first time or are already on the job." The poster complements other activities taking place to raise health and safety awareness among young workers. For the past year, WCB’s youth education coordinator, Wendy McIsaac, has been working with the Department of Education to raise youth awareness within the school system by incorporating the concepts of health and safety into the provincial curriculum. The youth education coordinator is also delivering young worker awareness presentations in workplaces and throughout the community. This summer across Prince Edward Island, Human Resource Centres for Students are providing health and safety information to students during job search sessions offered in schools and in the community. A video, brochure and demonstration of basic personal protective equipment are the key elements of the session. The "Are you in Danger?" video shares the individual stories of two young workers who were injured during their summer jobs. Their powerful messages are driving home the importance of working safely. For more information contact: Mark Barrett (Workers Compensation Board)
Stephen Ramsay (Human Resources Development Canada)
Jennifer MacLeod (Community and Cultural Affairs)
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| Government of PEI, Canada. |