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U.S. Work World’s Job Hunt Tips
How to Work Safe
Your employer has a responsibility to protect your safety on the job.  The employer needs to —
1)  Make sure you are have the skills and abilities necessary to do the task
s.
2)  Make sure that you are trained in the operation of any machinery or equi
pment (such as a cash 
  register) that is necessary for the job.
3)  Make sure that you are trained to safely handle any hazardous chemicals 
or products (such as pool 
cleaning chemicals) that required to do the job.
4)  Inform you of any safety hazards connected with the job (such as a hot 
griddle for hamburgers or 
boiling oil for french fries) and how to protect yourself from injury a
round the hazards.
5)  Provide safety equipment and clothing that may be needed to do the job. 
 Some employers may 
  require you to purchase clothing such as steel-toe shoes, but most emplo
yers pay for these items.
6)  Investigate anything at the work site that you bring to the employer’s attention that may cause an 
unsafe working condition.
7)  Follow all federal and state laws concerning safe working conditions for
 employees.
8)   Provide periodic safety meetings so that employees can discuss safety qu
estions.
When the employer is giving instructions on how to do a task safely, you need to —
1)  Watch how the task is performed, and ask questions on any step that is un
clear.
2)  Do the task while being watched to see if you do it right.
3)  Ask any additional questions that may occur to you.
4)  Understand how to use protective equipment (such as safety shoes, hard 
hats, or gloves) — how to 
wear it, when to wear it, how to use it, and how to care for it.
What happens if you are asked to do a task at work and feel that it is unsafe for you to do so? 
Injuries are not "cool" so it is good to stay alert to prevent the
m.  Discuss your concern with your 
supervisor in a respectful and positive way.  You may say, "I would like to do this job, but I think that it 
is unsafe because . . . .  What is your opinion?" or "I need training before I can do this jo
b.  When may 
I be trained?"  or "I want to do this job correctly.  Can you show me how it can be done safely?"  If the 
supervisor does not handle your concern in a satisfactory way, go to the manager above the supervisor to 
discuss the situation in a respectful and positive way.  
If your concerns are still not satisfied, do not do the job because you will 
place your life or body parts in danger.  Your employer may get into trouble 
for requiring you to do an unsafe activity at work.  Discuss the situati
on 
with your parent — and your teacher or counselor at school.  You may also 
call the information operator and ask for the phone number of the neares
t 
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) office to discuss 
the situation with a safety investigator.  You do not have to give your name 
before explaining the situation.  In addition, you may ask the OSHA safety 
investigator if there is another agency in your state to which you can g
o for 
advice.  The federal and/or state safety investigator may decide to visit your 
employer to educate him or her about employee on-the-job safety issues. 
 If 
the safety issues are serious, the employer may receive a fine and order to 
appear in court to discuss the safety issue.