Are you aware of potential hazards in your work environment? Make sure that you know the company's health and safety information. This information is usually provided to you on orientation day or your first day of work. If it isn't, be sure to ask for it. Your employers should have a safety policy in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Follow all safety instructions and know how to help prevent an accident from happening to you or other workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is a law that requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace. This law was made official in 1970, along with the organization of the same name that enforces it.
Thanks to OSHA, modern-day workers in the U.S. no longer have to worry about squalid and dangerous working conditions. This law, along with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) make the modern-day workplace safer than in the past.
If you attended a new hire orientation, you will have received a rundown on health and safety information as well as company safety policies. It is incredibly important for new hires to learn this information, so most companies present these policies right away. If you somehow did not learn, or forgot these policies, don't hesitate to ask your employer for this information.
OSHA requires employers to display a poster that tells you what your rights are under the Act. Make sure you understand these rights as well as company safety policies.
See OSHA Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Below are a few basic safety tips to follow in your new job. This is not a complete list, and you shouldn't treat it as such. However, it should get you started.
It's a given that working a dangerous job will be risky. However, did you know that many accidents happen in "normal" conditions? For example, slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. Other common causes include overexertion and distractions.1
Just because your job is "safe" by comparison doesn't mean you can't get injured. Regardless of where they work, people are at risk of injury if they don't follow the proper guidelines for lifting/moving heavy objects, operating machinery, and doing other "everyday" tasks.
If you are 14 or 15 and want to work, read "Do You Need a Work Permit?" first. Minors – people younger than 18 – cannot work in hazardous jobs.
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