Young workers need to learn a safety culture

Young workers (those under age 24) suffer disproportionately from workplace injuries, with nonfatal injury rates estimated to be three times higher than among workers over 25.  That’s why it’s so important for employers to provide comprehensive safety training for young workers.

Before they join the workforce, young people should have basic skills to help them stay safe and contribute to a healthy and productive workplace. This includes abilities to solve problems, think critically and communicate effectively.

To address this knowledge gap, Washington Retail created a safety app called SAFEME, which recognizes that although employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace, everyone should have basic skills to help protect them on the job now and throughout their lives.

Newly added is a retail Automotive course geared to the accidents most common in this group.  This can be used with the job-specific skills that workers gain through apprenticeship and career technical or vocational training.  In addition, it can be used to improve the health and safety of other places, such as homes, school or communities. These competencies include the ability to:

• Recognize that, although work has benefits, all workers can be injured, become sick, or even be killed on the job. Workers need to know how workplace risks can affect their lives and their families.
• Recognize that work-related injuries and illnesses are predictable and can be prevented.
• Identify hazards at work, evaluate the risks, and calculate how workers can be injured or made sick.

Our goal is to improve awareness and reduce injuries. WR is planning to continue growing SAFEME with additional courses and topics.

WR employs Rick Means as a Safety Specialist who is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198, Ext. 18 or [email protected]