Blog Post #679 – Certification Needed for Young Saskatchewan Workers

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine

Young workers in Saskatchewan were reminded by the province’s workplace safety regulator to complete their Young Workers Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) before getting a job during the festive year-end period when employers hire extra staff to help them get through the busy weeks.

Young workers age 14 and 15 must successfully complete the course and print out a certificate in order to be allowed to work. Employers are required to keep a copy of the certificate in their files for each of these employees.

“The YWRCC is an invaluable resource for young people because it teaches them about their rights and responsibilities, as well as health and safety in the workplace,” Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don Morgan said in a statement on December 12, 2012.

More than 7,400 young people have completed their certificate so far this fiscal year. (2012-2013) Since this course was launched in February of 2010, more than 17,000 young workers have earned their certificates. The YWRCC modules, available in French and English, can also be printed out, completed on paper and submitted to Labour Standards.

While 14 and 15-year-olds are able to apply for jobs and go for interviews before completing the certificate, they must provide a copy of the completed certificate to their employer on or before their first day of work, the statement notes. Young workers under the age of 16 must also have the consent of their parents or guardian; are not allowed to work after 10 pm on a day preceding a school day or before the time that school stats in the morning; and cannot work more than 16 hours during a school week.

My opinion

I was pleased to have come across this particular report. The province of Saskatchewan has worked very hard to become a leader in occupational health and safety in Canada. This report shows that the leaders in the Saskatchewan government fully understood the need to protect their young workers long before many other provinces and developed a program to educate them. Nothing is worse than sending our children into the workplace without the tools to do the work safely. They should all know what their rights are.

Good for you, Saskatchewan!

By the way, Alberta has just enacted farm worker protection. Good for them! Only 50 years late!

Update: 2020, saw the government of Alberta rescind the protection for ranch and farm workers.

Remember – Alberta Health and Safety – An Oxymoron!

Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.

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