Dangers At  Work	
Dangers at Work (page 1 of 2)	
A 15-year old teen lost his right arm while working in a meat processing 
plant.  The accident happened when a slip on the greasy floor forced his 
arm into a meat grinder, causing him to lose his entire hand.  His hope of 
someday working as an auto mechanic or firefighter seems impossible now .  
What could he or his employer have done to prevent this accident?
Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of young workers killed 
on the jobs were:  a) 17 workers ages 16-17.  b) 50 workers ages 18-19.  
c) 325 workers ages 20-24.  The number of young workers injured on the 
job were:  a) 220 workers ages 14-15.  b) 25,530 workers ages 16-19.  
c) 85,800 workers ages 20-24.  The five most dangerous jobs for young adults: agriculture (harvesting crops 
and using machinery); construction and height work; traveling youth sales crews; outside helper 
(landscaping, grounds keeping, lawn service); driver/operator (forklift/tractors).  
According to Center for Young Worker Safety, a JOB HAZARD is defined as   — anything at work that can 
hurt you physically or mentally.  The EFFECT of a job hazard may be: a)  temporary (example: broken arm 
or cut); or b)  permanent (loss of finger or loss of hearing); or c) immediate  (brick falling on your toes); or 
d) delayed (wrist injury after long-term overuse of the hands on the job).  
Job hazard CATEGORIES include: a)  Physical (dangerous tools such as knives and 
saws; machinery; equipment; vehicles).  b)  Chemical (dangerous liquids, gases, vapors, 
dust).  c) Biological  (dangerous germs, viruses, insects that cause sickness).  
e) "Pressure Cooker" (job stress from work environment, deadlines, not enough job 
training and supervision, or no safety training rules to follow).
QUESTIONS ABOUT JOB SAFETY
QUESTION:  What happens if I don't feel safe doing a task on the job?
1) Let the person in charge know when you have questions — about how to do a job 
task, or handle chemicals, especially if it looks tricky or dangerous.  2)  Ask how to do 
it in a safe way.  3) Then, learn to do it the right way.  4) Always do it the same way — 
safely following the rules.  5) Don’t take any shortcuts!  Know that you have the right to 
work in a safe and healthful place.  Injuries are not "cool" so stay alert to prevent them.   
QUESTION:  What happens if I get injured on the job?
Be sure to report all injuries to your supervisor, and seek treatment from the first aid station, nurse, doctor 
or hospital.  Don‘t ignore injuries.  Tell the medical person that treats you, the injury happened on the job.  
QUESTION:  What do I "ask" to learn a new task on the job?
1)  Ask for detailed instructions on how to do the task including what safety steps to take.
2)  Watch how the task is performed.   Ask questions on any step that is unclear.
3)  Do the task while being watched to see if you do it right.
4)  If you need to wear protective equipment such as safety shoes, hard hats, or gloves,  ask where to find 
the protective equipment, how to wear it, how to use it, and how to care for it.

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Dangers at Work (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
If you think there is a job hazard (danger) at your work site that the supervisor will not correct, you may 
report the situation to OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration).  You have the right to request 
that your name not be given to the employer.  To report the job hazard, you  file a complaint and request 
an OSHA inspection of the workplace to review the job hazard and safety procedure the supervisor f
ollows.   Complaints by workers are taken seriously by OSHA.  It is against the law for an employer to fire, 
demote, transfer, or discriminate in any way against a worker for filing a complaint or using OSHA rights.  
For information or to report a hazard, visit OSHA website: www.osha.gov.  Click on "For Workers."
Types of Events that Cause Injury to Workers
1.  What caused the 15-year old teen’s accident?
2.  How many young workers ages 16 to 24 were 
killed on the job?  (Add 3 numbers)
3.  List the 5 most dangerous jobs for young adults.
4.  Write down the definition of "job hazard."
5.  a) List 4 EFFECTS of job hazards.  
  b) Write down one example for each effect.
6.  a) List 4 CATEGORIES of job hazards.  
  b) Write down one example for each category.
7.  List 5 things you should do if you do not feel 
safe doing a task or handling chemicals.
8.  When you are injured on the job, what should 
you:  a) Report?  b) Seek?  c) Tell the medical 
person who treats the injury?
9.  To learn a new task, list 3 things YOU "ask."
10.  If there is a job hazard that the supervisor will  not correct, what may you do?
11.  What do you have the right to request?
12.  To report the job hazard, list 2 things to do.
13.  What 4 things are against the law for employers 
to do to a worker for filing a complaint?
14.  What is the address of the OSHA website?
15.  Using the graph:  List top 5 EVENTS that 
caused the highest number of injuries.  
16.  Define: a) intentional.  b) unintentional.  
17.  a) What number injuries were animal or insect 
related?  b) What type of "object" injury cause 
highest number of injuries?  c) Which event had 
lowest number of injured workers?
18.  a) Using the graph, list 3 events that may cause 
injuries to restaurant workers.  b)  If you were 
manager, what can you do to prevent these 3 
event injuries from happening to your workers?    
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics	
intentional (done on purpose) 
unintentional (done by mistake)