Back to home page

Programs

You can help!

News and events

Infolinks

HDIWG Location, Tel & Fax Nos., office hours








Hamilton and District
INJURED WORKERS Group



Programs

Young Worker Awareness

The Young Worker Awareness Program (YWAP) was developed for use in high schools, colleges and universities out of concern about the alarming incidence of workplace injuries and illness among young workers. The YWAP introduces participants to workplace health and safety issues and helps them to understand:

  • their legal rights and responsibilities in the workplace
  • the responsibilities of their employers and supervisers
  • workplace hazards and how to reduce or eliminate their danger
  • the need to protect their own health and safety by:
    - asking questions
    - insisting on required workplace training
    - reporting hazards
    - working safely

YWAP is an awareness program only. It informs, stimulates interest and creates important expectations but it does not train. Rather, the YWAP prepares young workers for the training they should receive in their workplaces.

If you are interested in having this workshop delivered at your school or other learning institution, or if you are interested in becoming a YWAP facilitator, please contact the HDIWG for particulars.

Peer Support Group

In this closed-door, round-the-table meeting, individuals can discuss their feelings about issues and problems they face every day, while others can relate and share possible solutions they have found. All injured workers and their dependents are welcome!

Did you know?

Your Rights as an Employee

  1. You have the RIGHT to KNOW
  2. You have the RIGHT to REFUSE unsafe work
  3. You have the RIGHT to PARTICIPATE
  4. You have the right to form or join a trade union of your choice
  5. You have the right to minimum wage and minimum pay
  6. You have the right to leave from work
  7. You have the right to overtime pay
  8. You have the right to annual vacations and statutory holiday pays
  9. You have the right to written notice of termination
  10. You have the right to only have certain deductions taken off your pay cheque
  11. You have the right to meal breaks

What to do if you get injured:

In all cases of injury or illness, you MUST:

  • Get first aid treatment right away
  • Tell your supervisor about ANY injury
  • Tell your supervisor about any illness or condition that you believe happened because of work
  • File a claim with the WSIB
  • Choose your own doctor. Once you have chosen, you may not change doctors without the permission of the WSIB
  • Fill out and return all WSIB forms right away
  • Co-operate in your health care treatment and safe return to work
  • Within 10 days, report any changes you may have in any other sources of income, your return to work status, or your medical condition

It's Your Employer's Duty to:

  • Instruct, inform and supervise workers to protect their health and safety
  • Appoint competent persons as supervisors
  • Inform a worker or a person in authority over a worker about any hazard in the work and train that worker in handling, storage, use, disposal, and transport of any equipment, substances, tools, material, etc.
  • Help Joint Health and Safety Committees and health and safety representatives to carry out their duties
  • Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker
  • Post in the workplace a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as explanatory material prepared by the Ministry that outlines the rights, responsibilities and duties of workers. This material must be in English and the majority language in the workplace
  • Post a copy of the employer's occupational health and safety policy in the workplace where workers will be most likely to see it

Your Safety Is In Your Hands!!!

Top