Safety should always be the number one priority at your worksite — no matter what. It’s important to make sure everyone follows all safety guidelines, but your youngest temporary workers are typically the most vulnerable. More seasoned workers are a bit older, wiser and experienced, allowing them to fully comprehend the possible outcome if they don’t follow safety guidelines.
Employees under age 25 are twice as likely to be injured on the job as their older counterparts, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Unfortunately, many younger workers think they’re invincible — especially teens — so you need to exert extra energy to make them fully comprehend the risks associated with the job. Simply giving them a pamphlet to read or a quick lecture won’t cut it, so use these four tips to provide safety training that sticks.
Use Numbers
Telling younger workers their job is dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t followed probably won’t resonate, so back your statement up with numbers. In 2013, 335 young workers were killed at work and every nine minutes, a U.S. teen gets hurt on the job, according to the DOL, so work these stats into your training.
Set a Good Example
Bright young workers are incredibly observant, so if they see you doing something you’ve just told them not to, they’re going to follow suit. If you want them to obey the rules, you have to lead by example, heeding your own advice. Often times the best form of safety training is that learned by watching colleagues they admire do the right thing.
Make Training Interactive
When you sit young workers down and talk at them, your message goes in one ear and out the other. If you want them to really learn, provide interactive training where they can get involved. Use role-playing, quizzes and class discussions to engage them and make safety training fun. There’s a much better chance they’ll retain this information if learning it isn’t a snooze.
Be Present
Many people learn by doing, so you need to be present on the worksite to be sure they’re following protocol. Carefully observe what they’re doing and help them make adjustments if needed. Some temps learn faster than others, so behave in a kind and caring manner so they feel comfortable coming to you with questions, comments and concerns.
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