As students head into the summer job season, this is a good reminder from NIOSH about young worker safety.  The article includes links to some great resources such as NIOSH Core Competencies and the accompanying curriculum for middle and high school students, available at no cost at Youth@Work-Talking Safety.

From the NIOSH eNews, May 2015.
For the entire article, visit this link.

". . . work readiness skills—such as problem solving, collaboration, and information technology literacy--must also include competencies that equip young people to stay safe and healthy on the job and to contribute to safe, healthy, and productive workplaces. These competencies are critical given that more than 80% of teens will work at some time while in high school and most are unprepared for the hazards they face on the job. In fact, young people under age 25 are twice as likely as adults to get hurt at work."

What is the Youth Employment and Safety (YES) program? The YES Program is a youth outreach program that aims to teach young people about workplace safety. At no cost to schools, an Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) youth trainer conducts safety presentations and training exercises at middle schools and high schools statewide. The trainer establishes industry-specific curricula ranging from basic workplace safety to specific certification programs that help Alaska’s youth become more employable. Topics include: avoiding workplace injuries; how to report a safety violation to your supervisor; and understanding your legal rights and responsibilities. Students gain an understanding of the benefits and importance of safe and healthy work practices both on the job and at home.

For information about a youth representative speaking to students at your middle school or high school, call the AKOSH Youth Safety office at 800-656-4972, or email the Youth Training Coordinator at Elaine.Banda@Alaska.Gov.

You may also visit the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development Youth Safety website at http://labor.alaska.gov/lss/osh-youth-safety.htm.

Two great resources for youth safety in CTE programs and in the workplace!


1.  NIOSH offers Youth@Work: Talking Safety, a foundation curriculum in occupational safety and health. This curriculum is the culmination of many years’ work by a consortium of partners dedicated to reducing occupational injuries and illnesses among youth. This curriculum is meant to be used in a classroom or other group training setting. The entire curriculum includes instructions for teachers and a step by step guide for presenting the material. For details and to download all the curriculum and resources, see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/ak/.




2.  Alaska's Youth Employment and Safety Program is a youth outreach program that aims to teach young people about workplace safety. At no cost to schools, an AKOSH youth trainer conducts safety presentations and training exercises at middle schools and high schools statewide.

For more information on the program, contact Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Youth Safety at 800-656-4972, email the Youth Training Coordinator at Elaine.Banda@Alaska.Gov, or visit the website at http://labor.alaska.gov/lss/oshhome.htm. 

The goal of the CareerSafe Professional Development Program (CPDP) is to enhance all educators’ knowledge of workplace and classroom safety. It achieves this not only by providing youth-focused, interactive training to students, but also by providing teachers with the resources and tools they need to facilitate effective integration of the training resources into the secondary and post secondary curricula. Completing the CPDP will also provide teachers with individual school sponsored professional development credits which can be applied to their annual State requirements.  Please review your state approved hours.

The CPDP is designed for teachers, administrators and others within the educational community responsible for creating a safety mindset. Printable Course Description (pdf)

Course Prerequisite: Must complete either the CareerSafe OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training or the CareerSafe OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Training prior to purchasing the CareerSafe Professional Development Program.

More at http://www.careersafeonline.com/index.php/professional-development-plan.

The goal of the CareerSafe Professional Development Program (CPDP) is to enhance all educators’ knowledge of workplace and classroom safety. It achieves this not only by providing youth-focused, interactive training to students, but also by providing teachers with the resources and tools they need to facilitate effective integration of the training resources into the secondary and post secondary curricula. Completing the CPDP will also provide teachers with individual school sponsored professional development credits which can be applied to their annual State requirements.  Please review your state approved hours.

The CPDP is designed for teachers, administrators and others within the educational community responsible for creating a safety mindset. Printable Course Description (pdf)

Course Prerequisite: Must complete either the CareerSafe OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training or the CareerSafe OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Training prior to purchasing the CareerSafe Professional Development Program.

More at http://www.careersafeonline.com/index.php/professional-development-plan.