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Young Workers - Speakers Network
Speakers Resource
Workers aged 15 to 24 are at a much higher risk of injury than other workers in B.C. Each day 34 young workers are hurt on the job, or one every 42 minutes. Reducing injuries among young workers requires the efforts of WorkSafeBC, parents, educators, employers, unions, community groups and youth themselves. We all have a part to play in ensuring young workers are aware of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace to stay safe on the job.
To help spread the word, we have compiled a list of volunteer speakers who can talk to your school or parent advisory council (PAC) about health and safety and young worker issues. We have a variety of speakers with unique expertise and experiences ranging from injured young workers to business leaders to health and safety educators. Scroll through our speakers' profiles to choose the one(s) whose presentation is the best match for your audience. Detailed contact information can be found under each speaker's profile.
Teach your group about young worker health and safety and help keep our youth injury free as they enter the workforce.
SPEAKERS
- Injured Young Workers
- Parents of Injured Young Workers
- WorkSafeBC Officers
- Health and Safety Professionals
- Industry Representatives
- Organized Labour
Disclaimer
The Young Worker Speakers' Resource was created primarily to assist secondary schools and PACs interested in scheduling speakers on the issue of young worker health and safety. WorkSafeBC ("WCB") does not act on behalf of, or represent, any speaker listed on this website. No endorsement by WorkSafeBC of the speaker or of his or her presentation may be inferred by inclusion of the speaker on this website. WorkSafeBC assumes no liability or responsibility for the performance of a speaker or reliance on the information provided by a speaker. Where views are expressed, they are the views or opinions of the speaker only and do not represent the regulations, policies, guidelines, practices or positions of WorkSafeBC. Speakers must be contacted directly to discuss their availability for speaking engagements.
Injured Young Workers
Nick Perry
Nick was 19, when he got a job at a Victoria
lumberyard. Six months later 42 loose sheets of lumber weighing 1,200 kilograms fell on him, leaving him an incomplete
paraplegic. Today, he is able to walk, but his life is not back to normal. "All that independence that your worked so hard
to gain can be taken away from you in a snap of your fingers", he warns. "Know your rights at work, because you can get
hurt. Just look at what happened to me." |
|
| Length of the Presentation: | 45 to 60 minutes (45 minute presentation only, 60 minutes when combined with Lost Youth Video). |
| Recommended Audience: | Suitable for all ages |
| Geographical Restrictions: | Vancouver Island |
| Cost: | No charge for schools and Parent Advisory Councils |
| Requirements: | None |
| Contact Information: | To book the presentation, or phone 604 231 8578 (toll-free 1 888 621-7233, local 8578) or fax 604 279-7545. |
Josh Dueck
Josh had a clear vision. He would make
a career out of his passion - freestyle skiing. It all changed in 2004. "I was doing a test jump and miscalculated
my speed," he says. "I ended up going much too large and over-shot the landing hill. I landed chest first and folded
in half like a scorpion." Months of rehabilitation were required so Josh could learn how to live his new life as a paraplegic. |
|
| Length of the Presentation: | 45 to 60 minutes (45 minute presentation only, 60 minutes when combined with Lost Youth Video). |
| Recommended Audience: | Suitable for all ages |
| Geographical Restrictions: | Interior BC |
| Cost: | No charge for schools and Parent Advisory Councils |
| Requirements: | Wheelchair accessibility |
| Contact Information: | To book the presentation, or phone 604 231 8578 (toll-free 1 888 621-7233, local 8578) or fax 604 279-7545. |
Michael Lovett
 |
Michael
Lovett was still in his teens when he was injured. He now wears a prosthetic after his leg was crushed by sawmill machinery. He wasn't properly trained to deal with hazards and risks at his workplace. His life, like the lives of other young workers whose youth were cut short by workplace accidents, will never be the same. View Michael's presentation |
| Length of the Presentation: | 45 to 60 minutes (45 minute presentation only, 60 minutes when combined with Lost Youth Video). |
| Recommended Audience: | Suitable for all ages. |
| Geographical Restrictions: | None. |
| Cost: | No charge for schools and Parent Advisory Councils. |
| Requirements: | None. |
| Contact Information: | To book the presentation, or phone 604 231 8578 (toll-free 1 888 621-7233, local 8578) or fax 604 279-7545. |
Mel Camilli
 At
21, Mel Camilli was working as a logger - earning good money and looking forward to taking over the family forestry business. Everything changed when a 20-ton piece of machinery crushed his legs beyond repair in a workplace accident. |
|
| Length of the Presentation: | 45 minutes plus 15 minutes question period |
| Recommended Audience: | Suitable for all ages |
| Geographical Restrictions: | None |
| Cost: | No charge for schools and Parent Advisory Councils |
| Requirements: | Wheelchair accessibility |
| Contact Information: | To book the presentation, or phone 604 231 8578 (toll-free 1 888 621-7233, local 8578) or fax 604 279-7545. |
Parents of Injured Young Workers
When Kathleen Higgins' eldest child went out to his first job at age 16 -- the first real job for any of her children -- she never imagined what the consequences could be.
"I knew he was working really hard, but when they called and told me there had been an accident, I could never have guessed how serious it was," she says. "I thought at worst, it was a cut or a sprain."
On September 25, 1998, her son John Jr. slipped behind a moving forklift at work, was crushed, and broke his back. Kathleen's shock was soon overtaken by her fear for John's life, and then her anxieties about his almost-certain paralysis.
| Length of the Presentation: | 30-60 minutes |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | TV/VCR |
| Recommended Audience: | Parents, youth |
| Geographical Restrictions: | Available to present in the Lower Mainland |
| Cost: | None |
| Requirements: | Wheelchair accessibility |
| Contact Information: | To book the presentation, or phone 604 231 8578 (toll-free 1 888 621-7233, local 8578) or fax 604 279-7545. |
WCB Officer Presentation Program
To help reduce the number of young people injured on the job, the WCB is taking the safety message to the classroom. Its WCB Prevention officers are available to talk to grade 10, 11, and 12 students about health and safety in the workplace. They can share their extensive knowledge and experience with your group.To book an officer presentation contact your local WCB Prevention office, or phone (604) 276-3100, in the Lower Mainland, or toll free 1-888-621-7233 outside of the Lower Mainland, and ask for the Prevention Regional Manager for your geographic area.
Health & Safety Professionals
BC Safety Council 
BC Safety Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of injury. It provides education and training programs in the fields of Occupational Safety and Health, Traffic Safety and Driver Education and Home/Family/Community Safety.Young worker presentation topics include:
- Responsibilities of Employers and Employees for Safety
- New Worker Orientation
- Communications with Supervisors and Co-workers
- Preparing for the Worst - Fitness and Personal Protective Equipment
- Risk Management Practices
- Right to Refuse
- When Things Go Wrong
| Length of the Presentation: | Minimum 1 hour, 1.5 to 2 hours preferable |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Screen |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | Weekdays, some evenings and weekends |
| Geographical availability: | Greater Vancouver Regional District, but province-wide if funding available for travel, accommodation, and meal expenses. |
| Contact Information: | Bryan Lowes, Rick Cox, Ian Thomas Telephone: (604) 214-7433 Fax: (604) 214 7434 E-mail: |
BC Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT) 
BCSOT is the provincial association representing occupational therapists. The association seeks to be the leader in enabling occupational therapists in BC to achieve excellence in practice and in promoting a healthy and vital profession in the province.Young worker presentation topics include:
- Computer Workstation Ergonomics
- General Injury Prevention
- Safe Lifting
- Brain Injury Prevention
- Back Care
- Case Studies / History of Clients
- Employer Relations with Respect to Injuries
- Return to Work Programs / Treatment after Injury
| Length of the Presentation: | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Overhead projector |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | Varied, please give volunteer 8 weeks notice |
| Geographical availability: | Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Williams Lake, Central Vancouver Island, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Comox Valley. |
| Contact Information: | Cheryl Hewitt, Executive Director; Giovanna Vassone, Co-Chair Telephone: (604) 736-5645 Fax: (604) 736-5606 E-mail: |
Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment (SHAPE)
SHAPE is an industry association dedicated to promoting health and safety in film
and TV production, theatre, music, dance and other performing arts in BC. SHAPE
offers three different presentations.
1. Somersaults to Swashbuckling!
This SHAPE-sponsored workshop is designed for Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in dance, drama or film/TV courses and centres around the principles of safe choreography and rehearsal technique for staging dramatic scenes requiring physical conflict and action. Longer sessions may provide the opportunity for basic sword techniques.
| Length of the Presentation: |
50 minutes for demonstration only
|
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Large empty room with high ceilings, gym or theatre stage |
| Other requirements: | Limit of 26 participants |
| Speaker's availability: | Anytime |
| Geographical availability: | Most municipalities in B.C. |
| Contact Information: | Fred Keating Pager: (604) 450-3142 E-mail: |
2. Building a Career in the Performing Arts
This seminar-style presentation is designed for Grade 11 or 12 students enrolled in any fine arts course such as Drama, Dance, Music, Film/TV. Subjects covered include: variety of opportunities in further training and development, staying safe and healthy before, during and after work opportunities, networking, creation of goals and objectives for short and long term success. Facilitators include working performers and technicians in lighting, design, wardrobe, make-up and hair, carpentry, props and special effects.
| Length of the Presentation: |
45 - 60 minutes |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Classroom setting, no limit on participants |
| Other requirements: | Papers and pens for students. VCR playback unit if available |
| Speaker's availability: | Anytime during the school year |
| Geographical availability: | Most municipalities in B.C. |
| Contact Information: |
Linda Kinney, General Manager |
3. Venue Safety Inspection
This "walkround" behind the scenes at a performing arts venue is made by one of SHAPE's safety specialists and involves the identification of various potential hazardous conditions. The importance of ongoing safety strategies and training are emphasized and recent shifts in guidelines and regulations are discussed.
| Length of the Presentation: |
45 - 60 minutes |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Access to performing arts venue |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | Anytime |
| Geographical availability: | Most municipalities in B.C. |
| Contact Information: |
Linda Kinney, General Manager |
Service!Plus
The presentation will touch on each of the topics covered in the Safety!Plus course. WorkSafe - an attitude, Hazard Recognition and Responsibilities for Safety.
| Length of the Presentation: | 30 minutes |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | No |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | Normal business hours |
| Geographical availability: | Lower Mainland, Nanaimo and other parts of Vancouver Island. |
| Contact Information: | For Lower Mainland presentations contact: Kevin O'Donnell Telephone: 1-877-728-7246 Fax: (604) 864-8638 E-mail: |
| For Vancouver Island presentations contact: Randy O'Donnell Telephone: (250) 741-1132 Fax: Fax: (250) 741-1132 E-mail: |
Industry Representatives
London Drugs Limited 
London Drugs is a 100% Canadian owned company employing more than 6,000 employees in three provinces. The company is committed to giving back to community and is actively involved in health and wellness organizations, medical research, education and the arts.
Finding or starting a new job can be an intimidating experience especially if it is your very first job. Many workplace injuries occur as a result of poor communication; either young worker does not ask questions or the employer does not provide clear instructions. This presentation will cover some of the key things a young or new worker should look for in an employer and some important questions to ask.
| Length of the Presentation: | Flexible, 30 minutes - 4 hours as required |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | Overhead projector, TV, and VCR |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | Anytime |
| Geographical availability: | Greater Vancouver and most areas of BC with some notice. |
| Contact Information: | Laurie Lowes Telephone: (604) 272-7115 Fax: (604) 272-7443 E-mail: |
Organized Labour
BC Federation of Labour
The BC Federation of Labour represents 500,000 members of affiliated unions in more than 1,100 locals, working in every aspect of the BC economy.
The BC Federation of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Education Project is funded by the Workers' Compensation Board to educate young workers and students in occupational health and safety issues. The project provides participants with the tools necessary to understand and exercise their occupational health and safety rights and responsibilities.
Summary of workers presentation:
- Young workers from across the province are trained to teach this course to students in high schools.
- Occupational Health and Safety for students and young workers' course is designed to give the participants an understanding of the Workers' Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation which govern their rights in the workplace. It will also give them the skills to interpret and respond appropriately to different situations that may arise in their workplaces with regards to health and safety.
- The course is designed to be interactive and encourage student participation.
| Length of the Presentation: | 70 minutes, or the length of one period. |
| Equipment/facility requirements: | TV and VCR. Some trainers may request overhead projectors. |
| Other requirements: | None |
| Speaker's availability: | We have trainers available at any time. |
| Geographical availability: | Trainers are available across the province. |
| Contact Information: | Kate McGrath Telephone: (604) 430-1421 Fax: (604) 430-5917 E-mail: |
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