Tips For Youth Employers

It is the responsibility of every employer to ensure workers are kept safe while on the job. Young workers are at particular risk, with one in 10 getting injured every year in Saskatchewan.

Keep your employees safe with these quick tips:

• Ensure that health and safety systems, policies, procedures and programs are current.
• Know the hazards in your workplace and train supervisors and workers how to recognize and handle them.
• Ensure that health and safety procedures are always followed.
• Ensure that equipment, materials and protective devices required by law are provided and used properly – this includes guards on machinery and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ensure that all serious illnesses and injuries are reported and investigated immediately.
• Encourage all workers, especially young ones, to alert their supervisors immediately if they see something that could endanger their safety.
• Demonstrate your commitment to health and safety with your own consistent, safe work practices and emphasize that unsafe work practices are unacceptable.
• Provide adequate time to train young workers.
• Provide refresher training for your supervisors, so that they maintain their competencies.
• Respond promptly to all health and safety concerns.
• Know the minimum working age requirements in Saskatchewan.

Employers who fail to comply with Saskatchewan’s occupational health and safety laws can be prosecuted.

If you hire youth workers aged 14 or 15

If you are an employer and hire 14 or 15 year olds, you must have and keep on file:

• Proof of your youth worker's age.
• Written consent allowing the youth to work from their parent or guardian.
• A copy of their Young Worker Readiness Certificate of Completion.