Safety training for teen workers.

Over the past few years, most of us have become aware of the various Department of Labor requirements when hiring teen workers. Some violators of these laws have received the proverbial slap-on-the-wrist, while others have had fines in excess of $10,000.

This article will not delve into any of the particulars of labor law, yet it will pose this question: "What are you doing to train teen workers?" They can be told you can't do this or can't do that, but what are your training techniques? And then, do they comprehend your training?

Essentially, there are three types of training:

The Buddy System and / or One-on-One Training. Sure, we all normally assign a new employee to someone to guide them through his or her first few work days, and then it seems (or we just assume) that they know all they need to know. If they don't, we (again) just assume that they will ask the right questions. Following a person around works as long as their 'leader' is doing the job properly.

Classroom Training. Maybe this is done in concert with the above. Put everyone in a chair, pass around the sign-in sheet, and then play a few videos and everyone is trained. A quiz may be added after the session to ensure comprehension.

Computer-Based Training. Before you dismiss this type of training as potentially too expensive, recognize that these new employees are probably more computer literate than we will ever be. Now, would you consider using a free program that addresses some of the concerns for the restaurant industry?

OSHA and Teen Workers in Restaurants

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has developed a Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants webpage at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/restaurant/quizzes.html. On this site you will find a quiz that addresses the topic areas of Serving, Clean-Up, Drive-Thrus, Cooking, Food Prep, Delivery, General, and Resources. Each of these modules can be complete in an independent study format. The format of the quiz allows the teen worker (or adult worker or even manager) to self grade/self correct his or her answers, and when all modules are completed there is an option to print out a certificate stating that the person has successfully completed the Restaurant Safety module.

In addition to this quiz, you will find information discussing various hazards with teen worker and employer solutions. Another resource is downloadable posters.

Other Areas Where Teens May Work

While the www.osha.gov website has great materials for the restaurant worker, there are other excellent tools specifically for those who work outdoors. For more information, visit the following links:

* http://www.osha.gov/ SLTC/youth/agriculture/index.html

* http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ landscaping/index.html

Educating Employees on All Hazards

Most of those who have been in the industry recognize that time and experience seem to be the best teachers. We must exercise great care that the teen workers in our operations do not learn these lessons the hard way.

The Material Safety Data Sheet books at our businesses contain a wealth of information, yet you may want to ensure that you specifically tell a teen worker not to combine certain chemicals present at your workplace (e.g. bleach with--. Or maybe a better concept might be to eliminate bleach so it can not be combined with any other product).

A Closing Thought

Parents and those who employ teen workers certainly are aware of this group's feelings of invincibility, and perhaps the following quote states their outlook best:

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

--Mark Twain

Maybe there is no way to change the thoughts and actions of teens, and for this reason it will continue to be incumbent upon us to work hard to ensure their safety in our workplaces and homes.

POINT TO CONSIDER

Although a common perception is that teens get injured because they are reckless, teens injured on the job often have a very different profile. The positive characteristics of adolescents--their energy, enthusiasm, and desire for increased challenges and responsibility--combined with a reluctance to ask questions or make demands, can result in them assuming tasks in which they are either unprepared or incapable of performing safely.

FAST FACTS

* Adolescents working in the restaurant industry in general were at six times greater risk of sustaining a work-related burn injury than teens working in any other industry.

* Although males and females had similar injury rates in fast food establishments, risks for injury by task and location differed by gender. Adolescent male employees were more likely to suffer burns, lacerations, and other injuries while performing tasks associated with cooking, while adolescent female employees were more likely to suffer contusions, strains, sprains, and other injuries while completing tasks related to cashiering and servicing tables.

* By age, 17-year-olds suffered the highest proportion of injuries among teens working in fast food (55 percent), followed by 16-year-olds (38 percent).

* 200,000 teens aged 14 to 17 are injured on the job every year.

* As inexperienced workers, adolescents are not likely to be familiar with job tasks, workplace hazards, ways to avoid injury, and their rights as workers.

--Information provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), http://www.cdc.gov/niosh.

Alan E. Achatz, CCM, CHE is a former club manager who now assists businesses with safety awareness through OSHA education programs and simulated OSHA site assessments. Additionally, he is an instructor of the NRA Education Foundation ServSafe[R] Essentials course. He may be reached at 716-565-9122 or www.akaachatz.com.