The Ready for Work Program

The Ready for Work Program is a project that the SFL runs in co-operation with the Workers' Compensation Board and Saskatchewan Labour. It is designed to reach as many new workers as possible, including high school students and new hires, in schools and workplaces across the province.

The RFW Program consists primarily of a presentation called Slides to Safety, a one to two-hour powerpoint show that educates students and workers about their health and safety rights on the job, including:

* the right to participate in occupational health and safety workplace committees;

* the right to proper training and information about hazards on the job;

* the right to refuse unusually dangerous work.

The presentation also includes information on common health and safety hazards, workplace violence and harassment, farm safety, and basic safety tips.

RFW is delivered by trade unionists, who supplement the slideshow with true stories of young people who were injured on the job in preventable accidents.

If time permits, health and safety videos designed for young people may also be shown.

RFW presentations include four handouts:

* a summary of the amount and kinds of injuries young people in Saskatchewan sustain at work;

* a summary of workers' basic health and safety rights; what to do if you are injured on the job, and the role of unions in occupational health and safety;

* a summary of commonly asked questions about basic labour standards such as minimum wage, uniforms, breaks, minimum call-out, etc.

* a quick quiz on the slide show to test students' knowledge of the issues.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour has delivered Ready for Work presentations to Saskatchewan high school students and to workers since 1992 and the number of people we reach continues to grow ever year.

If you are interested in receiving the presentation, or you would like to be trained to become a Ready for Work presenter, please contact the Ready for Work Co-ordinator at (306)924-8300 or s.durning@sfl.sk.ca

To see a list of Ready for Work resources from Saskatchewan Labour, go to www.readyforwork.sk.ca