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Never Too Early to Learn about Workplace Safety
Winnipeg– Grade nine students throughout Manitoba have an opportunity today to learn about workplace safety as part of Take Our Kids to Work Day. This one-day job-shadowing experience offers students the chance to spend the day at work with a parent, relative or sponsor.
“It’s never too early to start teaching tomorrow’s workforce about the importance of workplace safety,” says Nancy Allan, Minister of Education. “Youth represent our future leaders and employers and it’s vital that they understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to safety.”
As part of Take Our Kids to Work Day, 30 grade nine students job-shadowed staff at the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB). Students received workplace safety training and completed a fun and interactive safety quiz.
“We put the ‘SAFE’ in Take Our Kids to Work Day to emphasize our commitment to workplace safety and health,” says Doug Sexsmith, the WCB’s President and CEO. “Our hope is that parents and employers will not only discuss safety issues with their children, but also set an example for them through their own safe work practices.”
SAFE Work is an injury and illness prevention strategy developed by the WCB and the Workplace Safety and Health Division. There are a number SAFE Work resources and training programs available for youth at www.safemanitoba.com.
One of those resources includes a new SAFE Student Resource Handbook, developed by SAFE Work and the SAFE Workers of Tomorrow. The handbook combines the readability of a comic book with health and safety information that every new worker should know.
Take Our Kids to Work Day is organized by the Learning Partnership, a national non-profit group dedicated to creating learning and career opportunities through collaboration with education, business and community organizations.
Contact:
Warren Preece, Director of Communications, WCB Manitoba
(204) 954-4113
e-mail: wpreece@wcb.mb.ca
Jodee Mason, Cabinet Communications
(204) 945-1494
e-mail: Jodee.MASON@leg.gov.mb.ca
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