The safety of new and young workers on the job is being touted as the focus of a health and safety conference in Ottawa Thursday.
Delegates at the Industrial Accident Prevention Association's annual conference are being told young workers must learn to speak up about safety concerns and employers must also do more to protect their employees.
According to figures, young workers are five times more likely to be injured in the first four weeks of a new job.
Michael Abrome, a representative for the association, says in order to prevent workplace accidents, young workers must know the responsibilities of the job and be familiar with the proper way to use equipment and protective gear.
"The employer, realizing that, really must take the extra care and mentoring and coaching for young workers to ensure that they are, in fact, working properly," said Abrome.
A quilt adorned with faces of workers killed or injured on the job was also on display as a reminder of the potential consequences of working in industry.
