Gang Box May/June 2013 | Page 2

OSHA’ s Advice for Supervising Young Workers

With summer on the way, you may be considering the employment of young workers. While this demographic can be a real boon to your workforce, there are unique issues that OSHA wants you to consider. In fact, the agency underscores the following key points to keep in mind when hiring young workers:

Current Projects

Below is a listing of our major projects in progress.
»»
Understand and comply with the relevant federal and state child labor laws. For example, these laws prohibit youth from working certain
hours and from performing dangerous / hazardous work.
»»
Ensure that young workers receive training to recognize hazards and are competent in safe work practices.
»»
Training should be in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand and should include prevention of fires, accidents and
violent situations and what to do if injured.
»»
Implement a mentoring or buddy system for new young workers. Have an adult or experienced young worker answer questions and
help the new young worker learn the ropes of a new job.
»»
Encourage young workers to ask questions about tasks or procedures that are unclear or not understood.
»»
Tell them whom to ask.
»»
Remember that young workers are not just“ little adults.” You must be mindful of the unique aspects of communicating with young workers
.
»»
Ensure that equipment operated by young workers is both legal and safe for them to use. Employers should label equipment that young
workers are not allowed to operate.
»»
Tell young workers what to do if they get hurt on the job.
Raven Corporate Lobby
North Dakota School of Science College of Science Dorms- Wahpeton, ND June 2013
Great Plains Zoo Phase II- Sioux Falls, SD June 2013
SDSU Dining Services Expansion and Renovation- Brookings, SD July 2013
Sanford 69th and Louise Clinic- Sioux Falls, SD November 2013
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health( NIOSH) cites young workers’ inexperience and lack of safety training as potential causes of injury. And, for the youngest workers, those in middle and high schools, NIOSH says there may be biologic and psychosocial contributors to increased injury rates, such as inadequate fit, strength, and cognitive abilities.
Raven Aerostar Expansion- Sioux Falls, SD November 2013
The U. S. Department of Labor’ s Wage and Hour Division assists teens, parents, employers and educators in understanding federal and state rules concerning young workers through its Youth Rules! website at http:// youthrules. dol. gov /.
South Dakota State University Dining Center Renovation
Marmen Inc. Renovation( Former Tower Tech)
Marmen Inc.- Sioux Falls, SD December 2013
Madison High School Renovation- Madison, SD December 2013
Raven Corporate Phase II- Sioux Falls, SD May 2014
Raven Aerostar- Sulphur Springs, TX Summer 2014
Madison High School
Sanford 69th and Louise Clinic
SDSU Indoor Practice and Human Performance Facility- Brookings, SD July 2014
Henry Carlson Company’ s sign covered in ice and snow after the April 2013 ice storm.
Great Plains Zoo
Page 2
Page 3