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

A graphic of two women surrounded by superimposed graphical data and screens. One wears virtual reality goggles and the other holds a laptop computer.
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
IWH Speaker Series

What the future of work looks like to young people with disabilities

Published: December 14, 2021
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

More time in sports, but not work, increases youth injury risk

A study of overall injury risk finds time spent in sports and recreational activities raises the risk of injury more than time spent at work.
Published: January 2007
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

How young workers view workplace injuries

Young workers view workplace injuries as "part of the job," particularly when the injuries don't require medical attention, study finds. Furthermore, these workers generally don't think these less severe injuries are of interest to their managers.
Published: January 2007
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

Job settings, education linked to work disability in youth

Job characteristics are a main risk factor in occupational health and safety among young workers. Reducing the physical hazards of work through improved equipment and the work environment should be an important part of workplace safety, study finds.
Published: January 2007
A faceless picture of five young people
Sharing Best Evidence

Summary of a systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people

Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published: October 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review

Systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people

What individual, job and workplace factors are associated with occupational disease among young people 12 to 24 years of age? This systematic review report summarizes the factors associated with occupational disease among young workers.
Published: September 2006
At Work article
At Work article

Young worker injury – it’s the job that matters

In terms of injury risk, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
Published: April 2006
Silhouette of a large group of young people in goofy poses
Sharing Best Evidence

Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth: summary

Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published: February 2006
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

Ontario has lowest young worker injury rate

A study of injury rates among young workers finds Ontario has the lowest rate and Saskatchewan the highest.
Published: January 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review

Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth

Studies have found that young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries and, as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. However, these programs were developed without a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured. IWH undertook a systematic review, detailed in this report, to determine what factors are associated with work injury and illness among young workers.
Published: December 2005