| Myth: I can take risks, I won't die. | Reality: In 2002, 107 workers between 15 and 29 died in the workplace. |
| Myth: I can handle anything - I'm young and fit. | Reality: Close to one third (1/3) of all occupational injuries happen to workers between the ages of 15 and 29. |
| Myth: Nothing will happen to me, I'm safe at work. | Reality: Three times more people are injured on the job than in traffic accidents. |
| Myth: I must do any job my employer tells me to do. | Reality: You have the right to refuse unsafe work. |
| Myth: I am not responsible for workplace safety. This is my employer's responsibility. | Reality: You are responsible for knowing and complying with all workplace regulations. |
Myths & Realities:
As you read through these stories, try to understand what went wrong and remeber that you have the right
to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse unsafe work.
Felice D'Ascanio:
On his third day on the job, a teenager named Felice D'Ascanio was struck in the head by part of a crate
and five days later, he was dead. He had gone to work in the same factory where his father worked, because
his family needed a few more dollars coming in, and because he was still waiting for his break as a promising
graphic artist. He was 19 years old. His employer, Lovat Inc., pleaded guilty to violating health and safety
regulations and was fined $110,000 to be paid over 12 months. Felice's father, Santino D'Ascanio hasn't been
able to return to work since his son's death. He tried for a few days, but couldn't manage it. For the past
few years, he has been in psychological counseling. Felice's mother also required counseling, and his younger
brother has been described as "troubled".
Sean Kells:
Paul Kells is one parent who wishes he had been more concerned about his son Sean's first job. On his third
day of work six years ago, Sean was killed in a chemical explosion. This occurred after Sean poured a chemical
from an unlabeled vat. Kells says "if I had paid as much attention to my son's first job as I did to his first
sleep over, I'd still have him with me today."
Tim Hickman:
Tim Hickman was a Fanshawe College student, CUPE member and part-time City of London, Ontario employee. On
March 23, 1996, two days before his 21st birthday, a gas explosion caused by vapours from an ice re surfacing
machine blew the metal doors off the room in which Tim was working and sent a ball of fire onto the rink. Tim,
engulfed by flames, suffered third-degree burns to 35% of his body and died on April 2, 1996. Tim's death
provoked a major campaign across Canada to ensure proper safety precautions are taken in arenas. Some of these
changes included exit signs on the gates from the ice surface, maps to indicate exits, and other preventive
measures.
David Ellis:
David Ellis played drums in a rock band. He also liked to play baseball and basketball. He was a great brother
for his two sisters and younger brother. He had just finished high school and was planning to go to university
in the fall. On his second day of work at a temporary job in a bakery, David was killed on the job. He was
pulled into an industrial dough mixer. He was 18. David's parents and siblings have since worked tirelessly to
teach other young workers to work safely.
Dan Kramp:
In August 1999, Dan Kramp was just 15 years old and working as a summer student at a meat processing plant.
Dan's arm was caught in a meat auger, pulling him in from his fingertips to his shoulder. He is very lucky
just to be alive and even after major restorative surgery has only limited use of his arm and hand. Dan is
currently finishing high school.
Kevin Tremblay:
In April 2000, Kevin Tremblay was 17 and working in a local sawmill when he became entangled in some ropes,
falling and breaking his leg. He fell onto a conveyor belt, which dragged him 75 feet, aggravating the already
severe injury to his leg. Kevin was in a wheelchair for several months and used crutches for six more months.
He hopes to one day be able to play hockey again.
Megan Roblin:
In October 1999, Megan Roblin was 17 and working at a plant that manufactures filters. The punch press she
was using was not properly guarded and as a result, Megan lost the tips of three fingers. Today, Megan has
returned to school and encourages other young people to ask safety-related questions, particularly when working
with unfamiliar machinery.
Terri O'Grady (Douglas Loyer's mother):
In July of 2000, Doug, my eldest son who had just turned 20, was killed in a workplace accident. I would like
a chance to tell Doug's story so hopefully other young people will realize that they can't always go along with
what their boss tells them, even if they're new, even if they think they might get fired. I also want companies
to hear Doug's story, so they understand they have to train their employees, especially the young ones, and
they have to provide safety equipment. Doug died while he was in a machine, cleaning out hardened cement.
Another machine, which shared a power supply with Doug's, was started up. This caused my son's machine to
start up as well, and its blades started to spin. The blades basically squashed Doug's insides, killing him.
His lungs collapsed, his liver was shattered, his portal vein was torn (the portal vein is found near the
lower intestines), and his ribs were broken. My son died because his company didn't provide him with locks
to perform a machine lockout. It was an easily preventable accident. I lost my eldest child who had so many
dreams ahead of him. I have to try to get this message out, I am still devastated by this and so
heartbroken.
Did you know that: