Are you a young person with a summer job or a part-time job during the school year? Your employer is responsible for ensuring that your work environment is safe. Here’s what you need to know.
Your safety is a priority
Did you know that young people are at greater risk of work accidents? This is due in part to their lack of experience, and because they change jobs often. Your employer has an important role to play in ensuring that you can work safely. According to the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), your employer must:
- Inform you of the risks associated with your tasks and your work environment
- Train you so you can develop the necessary skills
- Provide you with the necessary protective equipment free of charge
- Supervise you to ensure you are working safely
You also have a role to play in protecting yourself by making sure to:
- Fully understand your tasks
- Follow safety instructions
- Help identify and eliminate risks
- Report any dangerous situations to your employer
- Know what to do if there is an accident
Do you think a task puts your safety at risk? You have the right to refuse to do it.
In the event of an injury or illness
If you are injured or sick because of your work, you may be entitled to compensation. The CNESST is responsible for providing compensation and reimbursing certain expenses (medical or other), subject to certain conditions.
Most employees in Québec are covered by the CNESST’s public insurance plan. This coverage applies even if you work part-time, have an irregular schedule or have not been employed for long.
Here are examples of situations where you might be covered by the CNESST’s insurance plan:
- You work as a kitchen assistant two evenings a week at a restaurant. A pot tips over, and you suffer a severe burn.
- You work on a farm in the summer. You injure your back while loading crates of vegetables.
- Every Saturday, you hand out flyers in your neighbourhood. A piece of ice falls from a roof and hits you in the head, giving you a concussion.
- You work as summer camp counsellor. You fall and break your tibia during an activity.
Need help or information?
The CNESST website (French only) provides information on the protection of young workers.
Have you filed a complaint with the CNESST and are dissatisfied with the results? Contact the Protecteur du citoyen. We handle complaints against the CNESST free of charge with no complicated procedures.
