Young workers, like all workers, can contribute to a culture of workplace health and safety by asking questions, pointing out hazards, and encouraging others to work safely. A young worker is a worker between the ages of 15-24.
The WCB provides a range of resources, tools, and services to help young workers stay safe on the job, as well as support for employers of young workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.
Resources for Young Workers
As a young worker, you are a valuable part of PEI’s workforce. You bring fresh ideas, energy, and enthusiasm to the job, and play an important role in creating safe workplaces for everyone.
Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also come with risks. In fact, workers between the ages of 15 and 24 are among those most likely to be injured at work. When you're new to the workplace, it's natural to want to make a good impression. But hesitation to ask questions or speak up can increase the risk of getting hurt. The good news? Workplace injuries can be prevented, and knowing your rights and responsibilities is a great place to start.
Getting the proper training is a great first step to prevent workplace injuries. When you’re learning something new, it’s important that you can practice the task with your supervisor or an experienced employee by your side. Proper training can give you the skills and confidence you need to do your job safely.
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act requires your employer to take every reasonable step to keep you safe at work. This includes making sure you have proper training and supervision, responding to your safety concerns, and pointing out hazards. You, as a worker, also have a responsibility to follow health and safety rules, wear your personal protective equipment (PPE), and report hazards.
A hazard is anything with the potential to harm someone. A workplace hazard could be a wet floor, loud noise, unsafe equipment, or a toxic chemical. Every workplace has hazards, and the more you know about them, the better you’ll be at protecting yourself and others.
Learn about common workplace hazards and how to stay safe.
Free online course: Workplace Safety for Young Workers
The WCB also offers a free, online course designed specifically for young workers. In approximately one hour, you’ll learn about your rights and responsibilities, key safety information, and how to identify and respond to workplace hazards. This course will give you the knowledge and confidence to stay safe in any work environment.
Completing this course is also a great way to strengthen your resume. The skills you learn and the certificate you receive can help set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to workplace safety to future employers.
Employers of Young Workers
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to protect all your workers and provide them with a safe workplace. However, you may find it more challenging to fulfill these responsibilities when working with young workers.
Youth is an exciting time filled with enthusiasm, high energy, adventure, and fun. Although these are positive and valuable qualities, they can sometimes put young workers into dangerous workplace situations.
In addition, a combination of inexperience, a desire to prove themselves, and a reluctance to speak up makes young workers particularly vulnerable to injury. In fact, young workers are one of the highest risk groups for being injured on the job.
The WCB has several resources to support you in creating a safe workplace for young workers. Our Guide to Keeping Young Workers Safe includes tools and information on a range of topics, such as:
- Your legal responsibilities as an employer
- What young workers bring to the workplace
- The rights and responsibilities of workers
- Safety orientation, training, and supervision
- Hazard awareness
Our Youth Education Consultant is also available to assist you in developing health and safety programs specifically targeted to young workers and can deliver on-site safety presentations and workshops.
To learn how our Youth Education Consultant can make a difference at your workplace, email ecarver@wcb.pe.ca.
Youth Education Services
Our Youth Education Consultants work with Island youth, educators, employers, community organizations, and government agencies to raise awareness about young worker safety, and to develop helpful resources and education initiatives.
Supporting teachers
As a teacher, you have the unique privilege of helping to shape our future workforce. No matter the subject you teach, we encourage all intermediate and high school teachers in the province to spend one class period discussing young workers’ safety. Our Youth Education Consultant is available to support your students through presentations, workshops, and resources to integrate workplace health and safety into their learning.
Supporting employers
Our Youth Education Consultant is available to support employers of young workers by:
- Gathering resources for use in the workplace
- Planning professional development for staff
- Delivering on-site safety presentations and workshops to young workers
For more information on our Youth Education Services, please contact our Youth Education Consultant by email at ecarver@wcb.pe.ca.
Young Worker Programs, Contests, and Awards
The WCB offers a variety of opportunities for young workers to learn about workplace safety, build lifelong safe work habits, and help create safer workplaces for themselves and those around them.
OHS Leadership Program
Each year, the WCB chooses two high school students per school to work as a team of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Leaders.
Participants will attend a one-day orientation and training session, complete three in-school activities, and submit a final report – all while promoting health and safety among young workers and having fun! The program wraps up with students attending the WCB’s Workplace Health and Safety Conference, where they will have the opportunity to learn from workplace health and safety professionals and connect with others who are committed to creating safer workplaces.
Participants can receive up to $800 when they take part in all the program activities!
Applicants must be:
- In Grade 11 or Grade 12
- Comfortable connecting with other students and working together with school staff
- Interested in learning, and helping others learn, about workplace safety
Applications for 2027 have not opened yet. Keep an eye on this page for updates and application details.
If you have any questions about the OHS Leadership Program or the application process, please contact the Youth Education Consultant: ecarver@wcb.pe.ca or phone/text 902-394-3133.
Focus on Safety - Youth Video Contest
Do you like making videos?
This is your time to showcase your creativity for a chance to win a great cash prize! We’re looking for an original video that illustrates the importance of workplace safety and ways we can all protect ourselves and others on the job.
All styles of video are welcome: drama, comedy, documentary, music video, stop-motion, animation — the choice is yours!
The best part? The winning video entry earns a $1,000 prize for the filmmaker, and $1,000 for their school as well!
The winning video will also advance to the national Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Lights, camera, action! Get your camera rolling and show young workers across the Island why workplace safety matters.
The 2026 contest is now closed. Keep an eye on this page for 2027 contest updates and application details.
In the meantime, check out our 2026 Youth Video Contest winners.
Safe Youth Award
Did you know that we have a prize for working safely?
Every summer, the WCB presents two $1,000 Safe Youth Awards to young workers who demonstrate a strong understanding of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principles in their workplace. One award will go to a worker aged 15 to 19, and another to a worker aged 20 to 24.
Youth in both age categories may be nominated by someone in their workplace, or may apply themselves and include a workplace reference.
The 2026 contest is now closed. Keep an eye on this page for 2027 application details. In the meantime, check out our 2026 Safe Youth Award winners.
Let’s celebrate the next generation of safety leaders in PEI!