Xray of Isaac’s left hand

It was a sunny, afternoon. Isaac, age 20, was working his first construction job, using an air nailer to build concrete forms, when he shot a nail into his left hand. “I fired in one nail, and then the gun skipped and fired a second one – that’s the one that went into my hand.”

The 3.5” nail was embedded completely in his palm. The cuff of his sweatshirt was nailed to the base of his thumb. He could see the point of the nail through the skin on the back of his hand between his ring finger and his pinkie.

Isaac knows he was lucky not to have permanent damage to the hand. “I can’t believe it didn’t go right through my hand or hit a bone. It could have been a lot worse. A nail like that hitting someone’s face or eye, I can’t imagine what it could do.”

Looking back on the incident, Isaac says, “I feel stupid. I was rushing. I should have had my board on a stable surface.”

His advice to other young workers? “Pay attention during orientation. Ask questions. Lots of questions. And don’t rush when you’re using power tools. I was day dreaming that day; I’d been distracted lately, then I rushed. Don’t rush.”

WorkSafe Saskatchewan wants to remind young and first-time workers not to ruin their summers with injury. Most injuries occur in July and August, and more than half occur in the hospitality, retail, construction and manufacturing industries. The most common injuries are to hands, backs, shoulders, heads and eyes.

Young workers have many of the same on-the-job risks as adults, but they are more vulnerable to workplace injuries. In many cases, it’s because of lack of supervision or training, not enough knowledge about the job or responsibilities, or because of their lack of experience in recognizing hazardous situations.

Quick facts:

WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s three key messages for youth:

• If it feels wrong, it probably is wrong.
• There’s no such thing as a stupid question.
• Just ask.

In the first six months, young workers are 2-3 times more at risk for injury than older workers are.

In 2013, 19.6% of all injuries in Saskatchewan were for workers under age 25.

About 6,000 workers who are 14 to 25 years old are hurt at work in Saskatchewan each year.

The top three injuries to young people happen to hands, eyes and backs.

The most common injury to young people is to be struck by an object, like a knife slipping.

Most injuries occur in July and August.

Most injuries to young people occur in hospitality, retail, construction and manufacturing.

The top occupational group for youth injuries is trades helpers and labourers.

What can you do to work safe?

• Focus on the task.
• Wear the right equipment like gloves, safety glasses and steel-toed boots.
• Lift with care. Ask a co-worker to help. Use a wheeler or a cart to help you move things.

All 14- and 15-year-olds who work in Saskatchewan need to have a certificate from the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course.