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
At Work article
Arts-based study reveals complexities of working as a nail technician
Workplace hazards have been the focus of many studies on the health and safety of nail salons and their workers. An arts-based study strived to demonstrate the complexity of nail technicians’ relationships to their work, finding both harms and joys.
Published: July 31, 2025
At Work article
Top-ranked strategies to support young persons with disabilities in the future of work
IWH researchers asked persons with disabilities, practitioners and subject matter experts about strategies for disability inclusion in the face of six future of work challenges. A new report details their top-ranked strategies to foster inclusion in the face of each challenge.
Published: June 7, 2024
Impact case study
Health and safety association uses regional injury rates to target services
Knowledge exchanges across the prevention system helps research findings reach front-line consultants and shape service delivery model.
Published: September 2009
At Work article
At Work article
Study suggests ways to improve safety among hard-to-reach, out-of-school young workers
Using youth employment centres for the first time to connect with out-of-school young workers about job safety, a new Institute for Work & Health study shows this hard-to-reach group possesses some basic knowledge of health and safety, yet it still experiences above-average injury rates.
Published: July 2009
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Finding common ground in OHS: The use of commemoratives in young worker injury prevention
This presentation reports on findings from a case study of the Canadian LifeQuilt, a commemorative quilt and online memorial website dedicated to the remembrance of 100 young workers who died at work.
Published: June 2009
Issue Briefing
“Newness” and the risk of occupational injury
Research is emerging that “newness” is associated with a higher risk of work injury. Whether it’s young workers, workers of all ages new to their jobs, recent immigrants or employees in newly established firms, the evidence indicates that these workers face higher injury rates and/or more hazardous jobs. This Issue Briefing summarizes the key research behind these findings and explores the implications for policy-makers and health and safety service providers.
Published: May 2009
Project report
Project report
Bridging the safety gap for vulnerable young workers using employment centres
This report from the Institute for Work and Health and the Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres looks at work injuries and health and safety knowledge among a high-risk group of workers: young people aged 15 to 24 who are out of school, especially those with less than a high school diploma.
Published: May 2009
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