Safe At Work: Workplace Safety for Young Workers

Lesson Overview Young worker injuries and illnesses Workplace hazards Including chemical, biological, safety, and other health hazards Reducing young worker injuries and illnesses Young worker rights and responsibilities An overview of Young Worker Labor Laws

Sharing Work Related Experiences Have you ever had a job? Where did you work? What did you do? Have you ever been hurt at work, or do you know someone who was? Have you ever been uncomfortable with a task you’ve been asked to do at work?

Occupational Injuries and Deaths Among Young Workers* Younger workers (workers aged 15-24 years): Represent 14% of the U.S. labor force Overrepresented in dangerous jobs: construction, transportation, agriculture, and mining Workers under 25 years old were twice as likely to end up in the emergency room when compared to those aged 25 and older *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. April 23, 2010, Vol. 59, No. 15.

Teen Worker Injury Statistics Approximately 1.6 million teens (aged 15–17) in the United States work. About 50% of 10th graders and 75% of 12th graders have jobs. Many youths are injured on the job. On average, each year 59,800 workers younger than 18 are sent to the ER for job-related injuries, but actual injury statistics are much higher. 37 workers younger than 18 die on the job. Young workers are twice as likely to be injured than adult workers. NIOSH 2010 www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/chartpackage.html www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5915a2.htm

What is a Job Hazard? A job hazard is anything at work that can hurt you, either physically or mentally. Ask class to brainstorm list of hazards

Hazard Categories Hazard Biological Other Health Hazards Physical Chemical Other Health Hazards Hazard Tell the class that hazards can be divided into five categories: Safety hazards can cause immediate accidents and injuries. (Examples: knives, hot grease, etc.) Chemical hazards are gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts that can harm your body. (Examples: cleaning products or pesticides.) Discuss how chemicals can get into the body. Biological hazards are living things that can cause sickness or disease. (Examples: bacteria, viruses, or insects.) Other health hazards are harmful things, not in other categories, that can injure you or make you sick. They are sometimes less obvious because they may not cause health problems right away. (Examples: noise, radiation, repetitive movements, heat, cold) “Pressure Cooker or Unspoken” hazards (unsafe equipment or procedures; emergency situations: fires, explosions, severe injury, violence; stressful conditions; inadequate training; inadequate supervision; deadlines, production requirements, etc.) Brainstorm examples within the categories using memories or personal experiences onto the Hazard Chart. See Lesson Plan for instructions.

Job Hazards A job hazard is anything at work that can hurt you either physically or mentally. Safety hazards can cause immediate injuries Knives, hot grease Chemical hazards are gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts that can harm your body Cleaning products, pesticides

Job Hazards, slide 2 Biological hazards are living things that can cause sickness or disease, such as influenza, West Nile Virus, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Bacteria, viruses Other health hazards are other harmful things that can injure you or make you sick. Some are not obvious because they may not cause health problems right away. Noise, radiation, repetitive movements, heat, cold, stress, violence

Find the Hazards: Fast Food Restaurant Illustrated Workplaces

Find the Hazards: Grocery Store Illustrated Workplaces

Finding Hazards: Main Points All workplaces have hazards. A job hazard is anything at work that can hurt you, physically or mentally. Some job hazards are obvious, but others are not. Some hazards can hurt you now, others can hurt you in the future. To be safe on the job, you must identify different types of hazards. People have a right to know about chemicals and other hazardous substances in their workplaces! When using a new chemical, read labels and check the SDS (Safety Data Sheet).

Hazard Prevention Strategies Remove the hazard or build a barrier Improve work policies and procedures Use protective clothing and equipment Poll the class as to which method seems the best, next best, and least best.

Protecting You at Work This month’s assignment will require you to get familiar with the following laws and regulations: Anti-Discrimination Equal Employment Opportunity Law Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Family and Medical Leave Act Federal Minimum Wage IRS Withholding Notice OSHA - Job Safety & Health Protection Unemployment Workers’ Compensation

Your Right to a Safe and Healthful Workplace The creation of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) provided workers the right to a safe and healthful workplace. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act states: “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." www.osha.gov or call: 1-800-321-OSHA

What Rights Do All Employees Have Under OSHA? You have the right to: A safe and healthful workplace Know about hazardous chemicals Information about injuries and illnesses in your workplace Complain or request hazard correction from employer Training Hazard exposure and medical records File a complaint with OSHA Participate in an OSHA inspection Be free from retaliation for exercising safety and health rights

Resources Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) https://www.osha.gov/youngworkers/index.html National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/ United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Youth Rules! http://youthrules.dol.gov/ Child Labor Summary Sheet https://dol.georgia.gov/sites/dol.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/dol4111.pdf Department of Labor Harassment Information https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/civil-rights-center/internal/policies/workplace-harassment/2012