Statistics show that young workers are twice as likely to be injured on the job as older employees.
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Reasons young workers may be injured include lack of:
- Job experience
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Understanding of risks, safety rules, and procedures
- Good judgment and impulse control
- Safety training
Young workers have more accidents at work because they lack the knowledge and experience to prevent them. You can help make up for that by making sure supervisors show young workers how to do jobs correctly and safely. Supervisors should:
- Never assume that a young worker will understand what could go wrong.
- Recognize that young workers may not always follow the rules.
- Demonstrate job procedures and safety precautions.
- Take the time to clearly explain the risks of not following the proper steps.
- Train one-to-one with young workers and observe them performing tasks.
OSHA has launched an agency-wide concerted effort that uses enforcement, outreach, and training to ensure that temporary workers are protected in their workplaces. BLR’s upcoming live webinar will tell you how to ensure compliance and keep temps safe in your workplace. Click here for details.
If a task involves using or working around any kind of equipment, supervisors should be sure to demonstrate how to use the equipment safely and explain such essential safety precautions as:
- Proper use of machine guards
- Procedure for starting and stopping equipment
- Procedures for feeding and removing materials safely
- How to report equipment problems
- Leaving machine and electrical repair and maintenance to trained, authorized people
Other safety issues young workers must be taught include:
- Keeping areas clear around exit doors and sprinklers
- Keeping aisles and other walkways clear of obstacles
- Cleaning up spills promptly (for example, water, coffee, and lubricants, but not hazardous material spills, which should be reported and cleaned up by trained and properly equipped workers)
- Lifting properly (powering the lift with legs, not back)
- Checking labels and, if available, safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals, cleaning products, and other materials to identify hazards and safety precautions
- Placing tools, sharp objects, and other potentially harmful items in their proper locations—and never where they could accidentally fall, puncture, or cause other injuries
- When and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as where to get it, how to inspect it, and how to remove and store it properly
Join us on June 16 for an in-depth live webinar on temporary worker safety and learn proven strategies for how to minimize risks and liabilities by ensuring that all temporary worker agreements, expectations, training, and performance requirements are in place before work begins. Learn More
Young workers must also know what to do in an emergency and should be familiar with:
- Emergency action plan
- Fire alarms
- Emergency exits and evacuation routes
- How to report emergencies
- Location of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits