Young workers are defined as being in the 15 to 24-year-old age bracket, while new workers are defined as workers in any age group who have either been on the job for six months or less, or have been transferred to new jobs in the same workplace. Here are seven statistics relating to new and young workers.

1. Workers who are new to the job are three times more likely to be injured within their first month of work than their more experienced co-workers. (Ontario Ministry of Labour)
2. In 2012 there were 375 work-related deaths involving workers ages 24 or younger across the United States. (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
3. Measures for reducing risks to young workers include these four:  Intervention during the first few weeks of employment; training to ensure that safe work practices are effectively communicated and applied; site orientation; and an industry-wide basic accreditation training program. (Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Department)
4. Two major factors in young workers’ injuries and fatalities are a lack of training and a lack of experience.
5. In the Canadian province of Ontario, only 40 percent of young workers receive health and safety training before starting their jobs or within their first week of employment. (Construction Safety Association of Ontario)
6. Seven things that supervisors need to cover with young and new workers are: driving home the point that they are always to ask for help when they are unsure about anything; proper equipment operation, including mandatory use of machine guards and lockout mechanisms; emergency procedures and equipment; when and how to use personal protective equipment; your company’s health and safety rules; correct lifting techniques; and good housekeeping practices. (Workplace Safety and Prevention Services)
7. While they may lack experience, new and young workers provide three important benefits to workplaces: they often ask good questions; they provide a fresh set of eyes; and they frequently offer new ideas. (WorkSafe Victoria, Australia)

Young workers are defined as those being in the 15 to 24-year-old age bracket, while new workers are defined as workers in any age group who have either been on the job for six months or less, or have been transferred to different jobs in the same workplace. Here are seven statistics relating to new and young workers: