St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL is proud to announce Jacob Tilley, a Level I student at Random Island Academy in Hickman’s Harbour, as the 2024 Safe Student of the Year and Leslie Tucker, a teacher at Gonzaga High School in St. John’s, as the Health and Safety Educator of the Year.
Jacob Tilley wins the award for his proactive approach to injury prevention that goes beyond advocacy. He proposes innovative ideas, takes initiative, resolves issues, and adjusts programming – particularly during after-school programs with elementary students or in creating posters to educate others on proper lifting techniques. Jacob empowers his peers with knowledge and practical tips to avoid injury. His ability to foster open dialogue while maintaining empathy and consideration for others not only enriches discussions but also cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment.
Leslie Tucker is being recognized for connecting the learning outcomes of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) 3203 course to her students’ lives, particularly those who work part-time or are considering employment. She makes the learning experience more effective and impactful by inviting guest speakers, encouraging student-led safety inspections and offering training sessions on topics like emergency response procedures and mental health awareness. She consistently incorporates health and safety in her lesson plans – as a math teacher, she uses statistics related to workplace incidents to teach data analysis and probability. As a result of these initiatives, Ms. Tucker empowers her students with the knowledge and skills to manage their own safety and the safety of others.
“My sincere congratulations to Jacob and Leslie on their well-deserved recognition,” said the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL. “Raising awareness about safe work practices is the first step towards attaining workplace wellbeing. I applaud you for your exemplary leadership and dedication towards championing occupational health and safety among your peers and students.”
“Congratulations to Jacob and Leslie for your practical and engaging efforts in promoting a healthy and safe culture in your schools and communities,” said Ann Martin, CEO, WorkplaceNL. “Your demonstrated leadership and initiative help students and staff learn and use safe work practices that will last a lifetime. You should be very proud of your accomplishments!”
The Safe Student receives a $1,000 prize. The Health and Safety Educator is awarded $500 and their school receives $500 for health and safety equipment and supplies.
Young workers, aged 15-24 years, are typically at higher risk for injury on the job. In 2023, the lost-time injury rate for young workers was 1.2 per 100 workers.
WorkplaceNL invests in programs to help youth become more aware of workplace safety and injury prevention, including the OHS 3203 high school course, the free Online Young Worker OHS Course and the Youth Safety Training Bursary Program.
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About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 215,000 workers and 17,500 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault workers’ compensation system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Media contact:
Carla Riggs, Director of Communications
709.778.1590 or carla.riggs@workplacenl.ca