Safety and Hazards

"You have many years of employment ahead of you. If you get hurt on the job that injury could affect you for the rest of your life. A serious injury could impact your ability to participate in sports and hobbies, in addition to limiting your job options in the future. The following web site will provide you with the basics you need to know before you start a job. 

Most teens start working at a job without knowing about the laws that protect them or how to stay safe at work. Don't assume that your employer knows these laws. Although most employers are familiar with labor laws for adults, many are less knowledgeable about the labor laws for teenagers. By becoming familiar with your rights and responsibilities on the job you can to protect yourself from injuries."

Health and Safety Awareness for Working Teens

NOTE:  The worksheets for these lessons can be found in the Portfolio Resource Guide.

Unit 1:  Young Worker Injuries

• Read Powerpoint slides
• Watch video "Teen Workers: Real Jobs, Real Risks"
• Complete Workplace Safety Background Survey
• Complete worksheet DVD Viewing Guide

Unit 2:  Identify Workplace Hazards

• Read Powerpoint slides
• Complete Identifying Hazards Student Pre-test
• Complete a Safety and Hazards list and map of your worksite using the following document:

       Safety and Hazards List and Map

• Safety Hazards - red
• Chemical Hazards - green
• Biological Hazards - orange
• Other Health Hazards - blue

• Identifying Hazards - Picture Cues
• Safety
• Chemical
• Biological  
• Other Heath 

Unit 3:  Know Your Rights

Unit 4:  Making the Job Safer

Priority 1 - Remove the hazard
The best control measures remove the hazard from the workplace altogether or keep it isolated from workers so they can't hurt anyone.

Priority 2 - Improve work policies and procedures
If you can't completely eliminate a hazard or keep it away from workers, good safety policies and procedures can reduce your exposure to hazards.

Priority 3 - Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Personal protective equipment (often called "PPE") is the least effective way to control hazards.  However, you should use it if it is the only option you have.

• Complete Making Restaurant Jobs Safer Pre-test
• Read Powerpoint Slide 1
• For Slides 2-11, identify how you would:
• Remove the Hazard
• Improve work policies and procedures
• Use protective clothing and equipment

Unit 5:  Communicating Workplace Problems

• Complete Communicating Workplace Problems Pre-test
• Read Powerpoint slides
• Read the role play entitled "Chris' Story"
• Complete the Role Play Planning Sheet

Unit 6:  Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Unit 7:  Introduction to Workplace Ergonomics



RESOURCES
UW Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences