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 group of young adults look into the camera
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
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
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
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

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
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
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