PRESS RELEASE
Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign
Potential Hazards in the Workplace Part 1: Making Sure You are Safe on the Job
Indianapolis, IN May 1, 2008 - The Indiana Department of Labor reminds employers and teens to work safely.
Employment for teens can be a valuable experience as it gives teens an opportunity to learn important job skills, explore future careers and enhance their academic experience. Across the nation, however, approximately 70 adolescents die each year from work-related injuries. Many also suffer adverse health affects from hazardous exposures in the workplace.
Working together employers, educators, parents and teen workers can make teenagers' work experience safer and more rewarding by understanding how to assess if a job, task and work environment is safe and appropriate for a teenage worker.
Teen workers and their parents should take the following steps to assess workplace safety and protect working teens:
Know and follow safe work practices
Ask about job training
- Teens should participate in training programs offered by their employer, or request training if none is offered.
Ask about hazards
- Teen workers should not be afraid to ask questions if they are unsure about the tasks they are a. Teens are encouraged to discuss concerns with their supervisor or employer prior to performing tasks.
Know your rights
- Teens have the right to refuse to perform unsafe work or work under unsafe conditions
- Teens have the right to file a complaint with the Indiana Department of Labor if they feel their rights have been violated or their safety has been jeopardized.
Know the laws
- Prior to beginning employment, teens should learn what jobs they are prohibited from doing. Additional information on restricted jobs can be found at http://www.in.gov/dol/2745.htm.
Employers should take the following steps to assess workplace safety and protect working teens:
Supervise young workers
- Ensure young workers are appropriately trained and supervised
- Make sure that supervisors and adult co-workers are aware of tasks young workers are prohibited from performing
- Label equipment and supplies that teens cannot use, or color-code uniforms of young workers so that others know that they cannot perform certain jobs or tasks.
Provide job-related training
- Provide training in hazard recognition and safe work practices
- Have teen workers demonstrate that they can perform assigned tasks safely and correctly
- Ask for feedback from the teen workers about the training offered.
Know the laws
- Prior to employing teens, know and comply with all Child Labor Laws. For additional information, please visit the Indiana Department of Labor's Bureau of Child Labor website at http://www.in.gov/dol/2745.htm.
Educators should take the following steps to assess workplace safety and protect working teens:
Talk to students about work
- Talk to students about safety and health hazards in the workplace and students' rights and responsibilities as workers.
Ensure safety of school-based work programs
- Ensure that vocational education and school-to-work programs offer students work that is allowed by law and is in safe and healthful environments free of workplace hazards
- Include safety and health training programs in vocational education and school-to-work programs.
Know the laws
- Those responsible for signing work permits or certificates must know the Child Labor Laws. For additional information, please visit the Indiana Department of Labor's Bureau of Child Labor website at http://www.in.gov/dol/2745.htm.
For more information and recommendations on Teen Worker Safety, please also visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-128/2003-128.htm.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Michelle L. Ellison at (317) 234-4792.
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