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Hey Teens-  Is Your Workplace Safe? What You Can Do to Protect Your Health and Safety on the Job

Joining the Workforce

Every year, millions of teens join the workforce, either for a summer job or as a part-time endeavor during the school year. Though most teens get a lot out of their experiences with their first jobs, approximately 70,000 young workers suffer from job-related injuries every year, and 70 die because of such injuries. By holding your employer accountable for protecting your rights as a worker, you can prevent any of hese injuries from happening to you.

Why You’re At Risk

Unfortunately the rate of work-related injuries and deaths is relatively high for teens and young workers, despite the fact that Child Labor laws protect you by making it illegal for youths to be employed with hazardous jobs such as mining and construction. There are a few basic reasons why you, as a teen, are more at risk than your older co-workers, even if you have the same job. Some factors that put you at risk include:

• Lack of proper training and experience relating to the use of chemicals, equipment, tools, etc.
• Being uninformed about safe operating procedures for certain tasks
• Performing tasks outside your usual work assignments[i]
• Not knowing your legal rights and which tasks you are prohibited from doing by child labor laws [ii]
• Unfamiliarity with surroundings or work requirements

If you work in the service industry like most teen workers, you probably expect your job to be pretty safe compared to those that are associated with machinery and more dangerous conditions. However, you may be surprised to learn that of all non-agricultural trades, retail has the highest number of workplace fatalities among young workers, largely due to robbery-related violence.[iii]Between 1992 and 2000, 63% of the young worker deaths in the retail trade were due to assaults and violent acts.[iv]  Make sure your employer informs you of the proper action to take to protect yourself in these possible situations.

Avoiding Common Injuries

Some of the most common injuries result from slips/falls that occur when surfaces and floors aren’t kept clean. Sheila, a 17-year-old waitress, received third degree burns on her ankle from slipping on a wet floor and stepping into a bucket of hot grease. She was hospitalized for three days and had to get surgery for skin grafts.

At a fast food restaurant, a male worker with more than a year’s experience was fatally electrocuted when he plugged a toaster into a floor outlet on a floor that had been mopped just minutes before. His fellow employee and employer did not know where the circuit breaker was located and did not turn it off in time to save him. Injuries like this are entirely avoidable. Learn what you can do to protect yourself.

• Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Inform employer about spills immediately after they occur so that they are cleaned appropriately
  • Watch out for dirty areas and cluttered walkways
• Strains and Sprains
  • Avoid awkward postures when lifting, carrying, and moving work materials
  • Get someone to help lift heavy objects
• Cuts/Lacerations
  • Demand training from your employer on proper procedures for use of sharp objects: knives, paper cutters, grinders, etc.
• Electrical Shocks
  • Make employer aware of worn electrical cords, improperly wired circuits, or loose wires
  • Inform employer and fellow employees of wet floors and surfaces
  • Do not use electrical devices on or near wet surfaces

Know Your Rights

All of these types of injuries can be prevented. Demand your right to a safe and healthful work environment.

As a worker, you are guaranteed some basic rights, by law:

A safe and healthful workplace Safety and health training when your work environment is potentially hazardous (using chemicals, etc.) To join or organize a union To report safety problems to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and, if desired, for your name to be withheld from your employer

You also hav ethe right to refuse unsafe work when faced with an imminent danger of death or serious injury. This is not specifically written into the OSHA law, but has been upheld by the Supreme Court when conditions are justifiable. Thus, refusal may only be used as a last resort, and if time permits, the employee should first report the unsafe condition to OSHA by immediately calling 1-800-321-OSHA.

What You Can Do

• If you handle cash at work, ask your employer to ensure that you do not work alone, especially in the late evening and early morning
• Demand personal protective equipment if necessary (gloves, aprons, eye protection, etc.) and training on their proper use
• Report any concerns or safety problems to your steward/union rep
• Notify the Safety/Ergonomics Committee of your concerns

Remember, workplace injuries happen every day, but you have the legal right to a safe and healthful workplace. Ensure that you are trained for the job you’re doing, and don’t be afraid to speak out about your concerns. It is against the law for your employer to retaliate against you for reporting hazards, and you can request confidentiality from your employer when you file a complaint with OSHA. Visit the OSHA website to learn more about how to make your job safer for you and your co-workers.