Millions of young workers are likely to join the workforce this summer. Their labor and contributions are needed in workplaces across the country. But too often these young, seasonal and temporary workers do not receive enough formal safety training to learn about job hazards, how to mitigate them, and the safest methods for accomplishing work. Here are a few simple questions you should answer for new employees before they get started:  

• What are the hazards of their job? 
• How much job safety training will they have? 
• Will they need to use personal protective equipment? If so, how do they ensure proper fit, cleaning, storage, and usage?
• If they have health and safety concerns, who do they ask? 
• What do they do in an emergency?
• What do they do if they are injured at work?

Read our previous blog "Hiring Young Workers and Keeping Them Safe" for help with your answers. There are also many questions you should ask yourself before hiring young workers:   

• Do you know what jobs are deemed too hazardous by the Department of Labor for workers under 18 years of age? 
• Do you know how many hours 14 and 15-year-olds can work compared to 16 and 17-year-olds? 
• Do you know how old someone can be to receive a $4.25/hr youth minimum wage for the first 90 days of employment?

Find answers to questions like these from the Department of Labor website. You can also find out more about using proper training, supervision and clear safety rules to prevent young workers from getting hurt in your workplace in our blog "Younger Workers: Willing To Please Even If It Hurts."