Young workers constitute the next generation of our labour force. Because of their biological, social and economic characteristics, young workers face distinctive and considerable risks of work-related accidents and diseases. It is therefore everyone’s duty to ensure that a young person’s first job should not become his or her last.

However, when accidents do happen, young people should be reminded that living with the consequences of an injury should not stop them from aiming high in the world.

The Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) of Canada, which – like several other institutions – has been very active in the prevention of accidents involving young workers, is sharing with us the following story.

While working in an oil field, a dynamite explosion took away the leg of a young worker. After enduring a long recovery, this very young man then began a sailing career and now holds the most physically demanding position on his team as it competes in the Paralympics Games (6-17 September 2008).

For more, see Team Raven Sonar Sailing Team.

This is an amazing demonstration of how willpower and hard work can enable people to overcome adversity and achieve great things.

While heart-wearming stories such as the above give us all hope that people suffering injury can achieve great things, it is important to do as much as we possibly can to prevent accidents involving young workers using approaches such as that of IAPA.

You can consult the IAPA Web page devoted to the safety and health of young workers.

See also:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): «Young Worker Safety and Health».

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA):

Animation and the universal language of Napo make «Napo in: Safe Start» ideal for a young audience and for all new entrants to the labour market, including migrant and temporary workers.
[View the Napo animation in video format (10 minutes, 21 MB, .wmv file)]

ILO Resources: