Young workers bring enthusiasm but also a higher risk of injury to the workplace. Here’s a look at what OSHA and NIOSH say you should do to help keep them safe.
The dog days of August… notice anything different in your workplace? Chances are you’re seeing some new faces — new hires and interns, many right out of – or on their way back to – school.
These youthful employees bring a refreshing energy and enthusiasm to the workplace. But, because of their biological, social, and economic characteristics, they also bring something else – a higher risk of work-related injuries and illnesses.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says that about 2.3 million 16- and 17-year-olds worked in the U.S. in 2007 (official employment statistics are not available for younger teens, many of whom work agricultural jobs).
In 2006, 30 workers under the age of 18 died from work-related injuries, and an estimated 157,000 workers aged 15 to 17 sustained work-related injuries and illnesses.
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By anybody’s math, those numbers are far too high, and the U.S. Public Health Service has set a goal to reduce youth emergency department injury rates to 3.4 injuries per 100 full-time equivalents by 2010 (compared to 4.2 injuries per 100 in 2006).
So, what’s behind these disturbing statistics? It’s not all youthful exuberance or inattention. Consider these factors cited by NIOSH:
- Young workers commonly perform tasks outside their usual work assignments for which they may not have received training.
- Young workers may lack the experience and physical and emotional maturity needed for certain tasks.
- Young workers may be unfamiliar with work requirements and safe operating procedures for certain tasks.
- Young workers may not know their legal rights and may not know which work tasks are prohibited by child labor laws.
- Young workers are experiencing rapid growth of organ and musculoskeletal systems, which may make them more likely to be harmed by exposure to hazardous substances or to develop cumulative trauma disorders.
- Young workers may be exposed to suspected asthma-causing agents and substances that disrupt the function or maturation of the endocrine and central nervous systems.
Educating your young workers about workplace safety hazards isn’t just a good idea – it’s required. The OSH Act mandates that employers provide a safe and healthful work environment and comply with occupational safety and health standards. In particular:
- Employers must assess the hazards in their workplace, select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees, and inform their employees what is appropriate.
- Employers must make any employees exposed to hazardous materials aware of the hazards and train them to protect themselves from these.
- Employers must display a poster prepared by the Department of Labor (DOL) or your state labor department informing employees of the protections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and its amendments.
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In addition, OSHA recommends that to help protect young workers, employers should:
- Provide training to ensure that adolescents recognize hazards and are competent in safe work practices. Training should include how to prepare for fires, accidents, violent situations, and what to do if they get injured. Teens need to know that if they get injured, they have the right to file a claim to cover their medical benefits and some of their lost work time.
- Assign supervisors to teens who recognize hazards and are competent in safe work practices.
- Supervise teens. Verify that teens routinely recognize hazards and use safe work practices.
- Stress safety, particularly among first-line supervisors; they have the greatest opportunity to influence teens and their work habits.
- Implement a mentoring or buddy system for new youth workers. Have either an adult or experienced teen be a buddy to answer questions to help the inexperienced worker learn the ropes of a new job.
- Encourage teens to ask questions about tasks or procedures that are unclear or not understood.
- Remember that teens are not just “little adults.” Employers must be mindful of the unique aspects of communicating with teens.
- Ensure that equipment operated by teens is both legal and safe for them to use. Employers should label equipment young workers are not allowed to operate.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll look at a tool that can help you quickly and efficiently train new workers – young or old – on your safety practices.