Employer Self-Assessment Tool Do any workers under 18 years of age do the following? 1. Work in or about plants or establishments manufacturing or storing explosives or articles containing explosive components, including fireworks? 2. Drive or serve as an outside helper on any motor vehicle (including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, golf carts, etc.) on a public road or highway? 3. Work in or about any mine or quarry? 4. Work in forest fire fighting, forest fire prevention, timber tract management, forestry services, logging, or in a sawmill, lathe mill, shingle mill, or cooperage-stock mill? 5. Operate, set up, adjust, repair, oil, or clean any power-driven woodworking machine or perform any offbearing from circular saws or from guillotine-action veneer clippers? 6. Perform any activities that involve
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exposure to radioactive substances or to ionizing radiation? Operate or assist in the operation of any power-driven hoisting apparatus (including a forklift, scissor lift, cherry picker, boom truck, work assist platform, Bobcat loader, skid steer loader, backhoe, or front-end loader)? Operate or assist in the operation of any power-driven metal forming, punching, or shearing machine? Operate, feed, set up, adjust, repair, oil, or clean any power-driven meatprocessing machine, including meat slicers, or work in any occupation involving meat or poultry slaughtering, packing, processing, rendering? Operate, assist to operate, set up, adjust, repair, oil, or clean any power-driven bakery machine, including mixers? Load, operate, or unload any balers, compactors, or power-driven paper products machines?
12. Work in any occupation involved in the manufacture of brick, tile, and kindred products? 13. Operate or assist to operate, set up, adjust, repair, oil, or clean any power-driven circular saws, bandsaws, guillotine shears, chain saws, reciprocating saws, wood chippers, or abrasive cutting discs? 14. Work in any occupation involved in wrecking, demolition, or shipbreaking operations? 15. Work in any occupation in roofing operations or perform any work on or about a roof? 16. Work in occupations in excavation operations? If you answer yes to any questions, you are likely out of compliance. For guidance in determining your compliance with the regulations that govern child labor, you can refer to the “Rules Summary” link at www.youthrules.dol.gov/ selfassess_nonAGRI.htm.
have your own children under the age of 18 who are working, you can also use this tool to make sure they are only performing age-appropriate tasks.
Taking Responsibility for Young Workers As a result of the study, NIOSH recommended that public health, labor, and trade organizations should provide guidance to employers to help them in their responsibilities to provide safer workplaces and should identify steps that employers can take to remove or reduce injury hazards. NIOSH also stressed that employers need to make certain their younger workers have the requisite training and personal protective equipment to perform their jobs safely. Here in a nutshell are the fundamental responsibilities for those who employ young people. Be more vigilant than you would with your adult workers, and provide them with adequate and full training and appropriate personal protective equipment. And if your young employees can’t follow the safety rules, they need to be terminated before they become a liability to themselves and you. Hiring local young people makes an employer a good community advocate. It’s good for the company, good for families, and good for the economy. But employers must never forget their obligation that the safety and health of their young workers cannot be compromised as we help them develop from youths to adults. WWJ
NGWA.org
Circle card no. 7
Water Well Journal May 2011 55/