Getting into the trades means starting a career where there is never a lack of security or a lack of work. For many young people breaking into the workforce in British Columbia, there couldn’t be a better option. According to WorkSafeBC, employers and workers in the trades must plan for safety.  Heavy equipment, powerful machinery, and a constantly changing physical work environment are all factors that can put workers at risk. It’s important to ensure that current and future workers stay safe by instilling the message that safety takes the top priority when it comes to the workplace.

Getting into the trades means starting a career where there is never a lack of security or a lack of work. For many young people breaking into the workforce in British Columbia, there couldn’t be a better option. According to WorkSafeBC, employers and workers in the trades must plan for safety.  Heavy equipment, powerful machinery, and a constantly changing physical work environment are all factors that can put workers at risk. WorkSafeBC is committed to working with the trades industries to ensure current and future workers stay safe, by instilling the message that safety takes the top priority when it comes to the workplace.

“When a person gets to a job site, they should be thinking safety first,” says Don Schouten, Construction Manager, Industry and Labour Services with WorkSafeBC. “Certainly for any job, planning for safety is key. Engraining a culture of safety in the workplace is paramount to keeping worker’s safe.”

A decline in the number of injuries

“We’ve seen a trend over the last number of years where there’s been an improvement in safety on worksites.”

The overall provincial injury rate for all industries has declined by about 35 percent from 2001 to 2012, with the serious injury rate showing a 25 percent decline.  The majority of work-related injuries occur in manufacturing, construction, transportation and warehousing, and primary resources. The main goal of WorkSafeBC, who serves almost 2.2 million workers and 220,000 employers across B.C., is to strive to keep those numbers trending downwards by partnering with workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability.

“We’ve seen a trend over the last number of years where there’s been an improvement in safety on worksites,” says Schouten. “You just have to drive by a construction site and you’ll see guard rails and other things that perhaps 15 years ago you wouldn’t have seen. That being said, one injury is too many and more work needs to done so every worker comes home safely at the end of the day.”

Safety is everyone’s responsibility

Employers and workers have to make it a priority to be knowledgeable about the potential hazards on the job is key to preventing an injury from occurring.

“It is so important that every worker is properly trained and provided with the right tools and equipment to do the job safely.” stresses Schouten. “

Every workplace injury is preventable and with proper safety training and awareness, the trades can be a safe a rewarding career choice.