Young workers: Your rights and responsibilities

Summary

This video highlights the three fundamental rights of workers: the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to speak up if unsure about tasks or equipment, and the right to refuse unsafe work without facing penalties. It emphasizes the importance of proper training and communication, encouraging workers to ask questions and ensure their safety on the job. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of workers, such as following safety procedures, using protective equipment, and identifying hazards to avoid injuries, emphasizing that no paycheck is worth compromising safety.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ As a worker, you have the right to know about hazards in your workplace.
• 📢 Employers are responsible for informing you about any hazards, whether from your job or others' on-site work.
• ❓ If you're unsure about something, ask questions for clarity and safety.
• 🗣️ You have the right to speak up if you're uncertain about tasks or how to use equipment.
• 🎓 It's your right to ask for proper training and demonstration before working alone.
• ✋ You have the right to refuse work if you believe it is unsafe or if you haven't received proper training.
• ⚖️ You can refuse unsafe work without facing penalties.
• ⚙️ Workers have responsibilities, including following outlined safety procedures.
• 🧰 Use personal protective equipment, either provided by you or your employer.
• 👀 It's important to report any hazards you notice on the worksite.

Q & A

What is the first basic right of a worker mentioned in the video?

The first basic right is the right to know about the hazards on the worksite.

What responsibility does an employer have regarding workplace hazards?

The employer has the responsibility to inform workers about hazards present in their own tasks or in the tasks of others that could affect them.

What should a worker do if they are unsure about a task or procedure?

If unsure, a worker should ask questions to clarify their role and responsibilities.

What right does a worker have if they are uncertain about using a piece of equipment?

The worker has the right to speak up and ask for proper training before using any equipment.

What should be done before a worker is asked to complete a task on their own?

The worker should be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they know how to complete the task safely before doing it alone.

Under what circumstances does a worker have the right to refuse a task?

A worker can refuse a task if they know it is unsafe or if they have not received the proper training to perform it safely.

Can a worker be penalized for refusing unsafe work?

No, a worker has the right to refuse unsafe work without being penalized.

What responsibilities do workers have regarding safety procedures?

Workers are responsible for following safe work procedures outlined for them and asking for training when needed.

What is the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in workplace safety?

Workers are responsible for using PPE provided by themselves or by the employer to ensure safety on the worksite.

What should a worker do if they identify a hazard on the worksite?

Workers should identify and report any hazards they observe on the worksite.

What is the overall message about workplace safety in the video?

The video emphasizes that no paycheck is worth getting hurt for, highlighting the importance of workplace safety and the rights and responsibilities of workers.

Outlines

00:00

⚠️ Basic Rights of Workers

As a worker, you are entitled to three essential rights. The first is the 'Right to Know,' which obligates your employer to inform you of any hazards present in your work environment, whether they pertain directly to your tasks or those of others. If you're exposed to any danger, your employer must tell you. If you're unsure of any procedures or tasks, it is important to ask questions. This right ensures that you are always aware of potential risks.

🗣️ Right to Speak Up

You have the right to express concerns if you're unsure about a task or how to use equipment. It is crucial to ask for proper training and clarification before performing tasks independently. This ensures that you fully understand the job and can demonstrate your competence before being expected to work alone.

🚫 Right to Refuse Unsafe Work

If you're asked to perform a task that you know is unsafe or for which you haven't received proper training, you have the right to refuse without facing any penalties. Protecting your safety is a top priority, and this right helps you avoid dangerous situations that could lead to injury.

🛡️ Worker Responsibilities

Workers also have responsibilities, such as following safe work procedures and using the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), whether provided by the employer or yourself. It's your duty to ask for training if needed and to report any hazards you observe. No paycheck is worth risking your safety or getting hurt on the job.

Keywords

💡Right to Know

This refers to the legal and ethical obligation of employers to inform workers about potential hazards on the job site. In the video, it highlights the worker's right to be aware of dangers not only in their tasks but also in tasks performed by others nearby. This ensures transparency and safety in the workplace.

💡Hazards

Hazards are potential sources of danger that could harm workers on a job site. In the script, hazards could come from the tasks an individual is performing or from others nearby. Understanding and identifying hazards is essential for workplace safety, and employers are required to notify employees about them.

💡Right to Speak Up

This refers to the worker's right to voice concerns or ask questions when they are uncertain about a task or the safety measures involved. The video stresses that if workers are unsure about a job or how to use equipment, they should ask for clarification or training. This helps prevent accidents caused by misinformation or lack of knowledge.

💡Training

Training refers to the process of learning how to safely and effectively perform tasks at work. The video emphasizes the importance of asking for proper training if a worker feels unprepared for a task or equipment use. Training ensures that workers are competent and safe in their roles, reducing the risk of accidents.

💡Right to Refuse

This refers to the worker's right to decline a task that they believe is unsafe or for which they haven’t been properly trained. In the video, it is mentioned that workers can refuse dangerous work without penalty, ensuring that they are not forced into hazardous situations that could lead to injury.

💡Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE includes safety gear like helmets, gloves, goggles, and other equipment that protect workers from workplace hazards. The video stresses the responsibility of both the employer and worker to ensure PPE is used when needed, reducing the chance of injury from hazards.

💡Employer Responsibility

Employer responsibility refers to the obligation of employers to maintain a safe working environment. This includes informing workers about hazards, providing proper training, and ensuring workers have the necessary protective equipment. The video underscores that it is the employer's duty to ensure workers are safe.

💡Worker Responsibility

Workers also have responsibilities in maintaining workplace safety. These include following safety procedures, asking for training, and using protective equipment. The video highlights that both workers and employers must collaborate to create a safe work environment.

💡Unsafe Work

Unsafe work refers to any task that puts a worker at risk of injury or harm. The video encourages workers to recognize and refuse unsafe work, especially if they haven’t been adequately trained or if the task presents clear dangers. Recognizing unsafe work helps prevent accidents.

💡No Paycheck is Worth Getting Hurt For

This phrase serves as a reminder that personal safety is more important than monetary gain. The video concludes by emphasizing that workers should prioritize their health and safety over completing hazardous tasks, reinforcing the idea that no job is worth the risk of injury.

Highlights

Workers have three basic rights: the right to know, the right to speak up, and the right to refuse unsafe work.

Employers are responsible for informing workers about hazards at the worksite.

Hazards may come from the worker's own tasks or from others’ tasks on the same worksite.

Workers have the right to ask questions if they are uncertain about tasks or hazards.

Speaking up for proper training or clarification is a worker's right.

Employers must ensure workers know how to use equipment safely before working independently.

Workers have the right to refuse tasks that are unsafe or for which they haven’t received adequate training.

Workers should not be penalized for refusing unsafe work.

Workers have responsibilities, such as following safe work procedures outlined by employers.

Workers should ask for training if they feel it is needed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used, either provided by the worker or the employer.

Workers should identify hazards and report them.

No paycheck is worth getting hurt for, emphasizing the importance of safety over financial incentives.

Safe work practices and communication are key to avoiding workplace injuries.

Employers must demonstrate a commitment to safety by providing adequate information and resources to workers.

Transcripts

[Music]

as a worker you have three basic rights

the first is the right to know your

employer has the responsibility to tell

you about the hazards on the worksite

these may be hazards in jobs that you're

doing or they may be hazards in Job that

somebody else is doing on the worksite

nevertheless if you're exposed to them

your employer has the responsibility of

telling you and you have the right to

know if you're not sure what's happening

if you're not sure what you're supposed

to do ask questions you also have the

right to speak up if you're uncertain of

a task that's been assigned to you if

you're unsure of how to use a piece of

equipment it is your right to speak up

to ask for the proper training to ask

for your employer to show you and to be

given the opportunity to demonstrate

that you know how to do something before

you're asked to do it alone as a worker

you also have the right to refuse if

you're asked to do something which you

know is unsafe if you're asked to do

something for which you haven't received

the proper training then you have the

right to refuse that work and to refuse

it without being penalized you also have

responsibilities and these

responsibilities include following safe

work procedures that have been outlined

for you asking for

training using personal protective

equipment either which you have provided

yourself or which an employer has

provided for you and ident identifying

if there are hazards that you've seen no

paycheck is worth getting hurt for