Help your Clients Keep Young Workers Safe
As a member of the California Resource Network for Young Worker Health and Safety, State Fund is committed to lowering work-related injuries and illnesses among young workers. Employers play a key role in creating a safe work environment and preventing young worker illnesses and injuries. We encourage you to help us educate your clients on their safety responsibilities and specific summer hazards.
Employers need to:
- Know and comply with child labor laws that apply to their business. The law outlines restrictions regarding the type of job workers under the age of 18 can and cannot perform to protect their health and safety. It also sets the hours that youth may work, both during the school year and during summer.
- Provide a safe and healthy workplace. A safe workplace for young workers does not happen by accident. Have employers check equipment young workers use to ensure it is legal and safe, and provide warning signs on equipment not authorized for their use.
- Train young workers to recognize workplace situations that may pose health hazards, and stress putting safety first.
- Give detailed instructions on safe work practices and equipment operation, required personal protective wear, and emergency procedures.
- Provide adequate supervision. Make sure young workers follow proper procedures and perform their duties safely.
You have an opportunity to help your clients develop safety skills in teens that will last a lifetime. Most young workers are enthusiastic and eager to learn. We want to ensure that introductory workplace experiences will instill in young people an understanding and awareness of job safety that will carry throughout their careers and ultimately shape a safer California work environment.
