The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) would like to recognize high school students from across the province who participated in this year’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Leadership Program. A total of 9 schools and 17 students successfully completed this year’s program, which ran from October to May.

“This program provides students with the tools and encouragement to become the teacher and the advocate amongst their peers, on the importance of safety in the workplace, as well as their rights and responsibilities as employees,” explains Stuart Affleck, Chair of the Workers Compensation Board.  

Students in Gr.11 or 12 can apply to participate in the program, with two students selected from each school. Students attend an Orientation Day in October, and then become “safety ambassadors” for their school. To complete the program, each team must hold a minimum number of educational events before the end of the school year. Those students who complete the program receive $500 at the end of the school year, along with a certificate of participation.

Some popular events that students held at their schools this year included:  Photo booths (students dressed up in safety equipment and pictures were later posted to social media); safety tips (over the announcements or social media); and classroom presentations (where the ambassadors gave presentations on OHS to several classes in the school).

Some of the things that this year’s leadership students had to say about the program:

“Not only did we teach other students about Occupational Health and Safety, but we ourselves also learned things that we didn’t know before, and otherwise may have never learned.”

“Our experience with the OHS Leadership Program was a good character and leadership building experience.”

“Not only were we able to learn more about workplace safety, but we were able to express this important, real-life knowledge to our friends, family, students and staff.”

For more information about the OHS Leadership program, visit the WCB website at www.wcb.pe.ca/Workplace/YoungWorkers or contact Rebecca McQuaid, Youth Education Consultant with the WCB at rebeccamcquaid@wcb.pe.ca.

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2017 OHS Leadership Students receiving their certificate for completing the program. (Front Row L-R ) OHS Youth Education Consultant Rebecca McQuaid, Abby Donald, Maggie Grant, Hannah Larsen, Kristie Drummond (Back Row L-R)Director of Occupational Health and Safety Danny Miller,WCB Board Director Margaret Stewart, Sierrah Laybolt, Lindsay Sanderson, Brett Allen, Jarod Gilroy, and WCB CEO Luanne Gallant

Missing from the photo: Olivia Corrigan, Megan Fisher, Jacqueline Dourte, Hannah Aitken, Jaimie Wood, Mackenzie Teatro, Kenzie Lund, Shelaine Gallant and Jenny Richard