Help Young Workers Stay Focused and Safe
Workplace distractions, like texting, listening to music, and juggling school and work, can interrupt attention or draw it away from a task. When young workers are distracted, it’s a safety concern that can lead to costly errors, lower productivity, damage to property or products, and even injury or death.
That’s where a new, free resource from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, developed in partnership with provincial and territorial departments of labour and occupational safety and health agencies, can help young workers stay focused and safe on the job.
Staying Focused at Work provides employers, parents, and workers with tips to reduce distractions in the workplace.
What employers can do
- Follow federal and provincial labour laws that apply to young workers, paying attention to hours worked, and health and safety regulations for your industry or work environment.
- Address fatigue through changes to shift scheduling, shift rotation and assigned tasks. Check that the work environment has adequate lighting, comfortable temperatures and reduced noise levels.
- Set realistic deadlines. Plan work to avoid the need to rush or multi-task.
- Organize work to allow for variety – a change in tasks or positions will help to limit the impact of distractions.
- Schedule time for workers to maintain a clutter-free workspace, both by clearing their desks and sorting out priorities through emails and texts.
- Clearly communicate hazards at work and the policies, procedures and precautions to reduce risk of harm.
- Set guidelines for device use at the workplace, including phones, tablets and music players.
- Talk with workers to identify distractions on the job and effective solutions.
- Provide thorough training to young workers, including hands-on health and safety training for handling potentially hazardous equipment or chemicals.
- Supervise and mentor young workers so they are comfortable and able to complete their assigned duties safely.
- Encourage workers to speak up, ask questions and report hazards, injuries or anything else they feel is unsafe at work.
- Consider other distractions, such as financial issues, fatigue and personal issues, or the workers’ education commitments.
- Address substance use with workers and review any related workplace policies.
What workers can do
- Be aware of the risks associated with being distracted.
- Follow your employer’s safe work procedures, including when to use devices, such as phones, tablets, or music players.
- Pace your work and focus on one task at a time.
- Take breaks to reduce monotony and repetitiveness.
- Raise any concerns with your employer about your ability to perform tasks safely when necessary.
- Participate in any education and training provided by your employer.
What parents can do
- Talk with your young workers about their jobs and ensure they feel comfortable at work.
- Encourage them to speak with their supervisor, health and safety representative or committee member if they feel an assigned task is unsafe.
- Monitor their work hours for proper school- and work-life balance.
To learn more, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Young Workers Zone and download the infographic.
