Young and new workers
Workers who are in some way “new” to their work have been shown to be at greater risk of work injury. They may be new to the labour market (i.e. young workers), new to their jobs (e.g. because of short-term contract or temporary work, or job change or promotion), or new to the country (i.e. recent immigrants). IWH research tracks injury rates trends among this group, explores the factors behind the increased risk, and evaluates programs designed to protect these potentially vulnerable workers.
Featured
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At Work article
Top-ranked strategies to support young persons with disabilities in the future of work
IWH researchers asked persons with disabilities, practitioners and subject matter experts about strategies for disability inclusion in the face of six future of work challenges. A new report details their top-ranked strategies to foster inclusion in the face of each challenge.
Published: June 7, 2024
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At Work article
One in four young adults in the U.S. have poor mental health—and the lowest earnings among their peers
About one in four young adults in the U.S have poor mental health from their mid-teens to mid-30s. They also have the lowest earnings of their same-age peers. That’s according to a new study, conducted by IWH associate scientist, using data not available in Canada.
Published: February 7, 2023
![A forklift operator gets job training](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/warehouse_forklift_training.jpg?h=51a72048&itok=jJldqnDY)
Issue Briefing
“Newness” and the risk of occupational injury
Research is emerging that “newness” is associated with a higher risk of work injury. Whether it’s young workers, workers of all ages new to their jobs, recent immigrants or employees in newly established firms, the evidence indicates that these workers face higher injury rates and/or more hazardous jobs. This Issue Briefing summarizes the key research behind these findings and explores the implications for policy-makers and health and safety service providers.
Published: May 2009
Project report
Project report
Bridging the safety gap for vulnerable young workers using employment centres
This report from the Institute for Work and Health and the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres looks at work injuries and health and safety knowledge among a high-risk group of workers: young people aged 15 to 24 who are out of school, especially those with less than a high school diploma.
Published: May 2009
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Preteens, young teens are working and getting injured
Despite a lack of official data on the labour force participation of pre-teens and young teens, 12- to 14-year-olds are working and getting exposed to the same OHS risks as other workers, according to a study conducted in Ontario and B.C.
Published: January 2008
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Long-term health effects seen in injured youth
Workers aged 15 to 24 with a compensation claim, when cto their peers without a claim, have higher levels of health-care use, both before and after their injury. That's especially true for young women with claims.
Published: January 2008
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Young workers out of school, with no diploma, more likely to be injured
Young workers who are not in school have higher injury rates, suggesting that additional workplace training programs may be needed outside of the formal school system to reach more at-risk young workers.
Published: January 2008
At Work article
At Work article
Only one in five new workers receives safety training
Only one in five Canadians reports receiving safety training in their first year of a new job, according to a study from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH).
Published: April 2007
At Work article
At Work article
Ontario, BC show different declines in work injury rates
In both Ontario and British Columbia, work injury rates dropped between 1990 and 2001. However, B.C. generally showed less of a decrease. By comparing rates among provinces, we can see who is performing better and start to explore why rates differ.
Published: February 2007
Journal article
Journal article
Non-agricultural work injuries among youth: a systematic review
Published: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, February 2007
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Work setting, hazards are key injury risk factors for youth
When it comes to injury risk among teenaged and young adult workers, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
Published: January 2007
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Only one in five new workers receive safety training in Canada
Despite the legal requirement in most provinces for employers to provide health and safety to new workers, only one in five new workers actually receive such training, study finds.
Published: January 2007