In 2015, a 17-year-old teenager joined the British Columbia workforce. Eager to please and to establish a career, he did his job as best he could. Sadly, only two months later, a conveyor belt caught his sleeve and caused catastrophic injuries. Jack Thomas now lives with only half a right arm. He says the possibility of suffering workplace injuries was not even on his mind at the beginning of his career. Authorities say many young workers fear losing their jobs if they question safety protocols at their work places.
Jack Thomas is now working with WorkSafeBC on an awareness campaign among workers under the age of 25 years. The safety drive is called Listen to Your Gut. Authorities say they want young workers to know that they would not compromise their jobs if they ask questions about safety. Jack Thomas says his goal is for young workers to be aware of the safety hazards they will face, and to encourage them to prioritize their own safety.
WorkSafeBC says the way in which employers respond to the concerns of young workers is equally important in the quest to create a culture of safety. For that reason, the agency will also be running the What I Know Now campaign for employers. This effort is intended to help many employers prevent life-changing incidents such as the one that claimed the arm of Jack Thomas.
Despite these two campaigns that will run through the summer, there might still be some employers who will prioritize profits over workplace safety. Victims of workplace injuries are entitled to apply for workers compensation benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Injured workers have the right to retain the services of experienced workers' compensation lawyers to assist with the legal and administrative processes.
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