Know the hazards

Knowledge and information can be life-saving — especially for workers who may be new to the job. Here you'll find tools, publications, and other resources to help young and new workers stay healthy and safe.

Young and new workers are highly vulnerable to workplace injury. Young males, especially, face a significantly higher risk of injury than the overall working population. Everyone deserves a safe workplace. Part of the solution involves knowing the risks, so they can be avoided.

Here are the top seven hazards that lead to the largest number of injuries for young workers:

Hazards for young workers	Types of jobs
1. Lifting objects — overexertion causing sprains, strains, tears	Retail and grocery clerks, labourers, material handlers, shippers and receivers.
2. Working on elevated levels — sprains, strains, tears, and fractures	Any job using ladders, stairs, scaffolding, or other raised areas.
3. Working with knives — cuts and lacerations	Cooks, food service workers, retail clerks, and shelf-stockers.
4. Working with hot substances/objects — burns	Jobs in the hospitality and food service industries.
5. Using mobile equipment or motor vehicles — sprains, strains, tears, and fractures	Any job requiring driving, riding, or operating, or any job that requires operating near mobile equipment.
6. Working with food slicers — cuts and lacerations	Deli sales clerks, cooks, food service workers, and retail sales clerks in supermarkets.
7. Working near running equipment or machinery — cuts, lacerations, and fractures	Labourers in manufacturing or construction, machine operators, material handlers, bakers and cooks.