1. Safety Tutorial for the Travel Clerk Elizabeth Allen State University of New York Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center

2. 2 Training Tasks for Travel Clerks: Understand your rights as a teen worker Define job hazard Identify main hazards in an office setting Describe the dangerous results of main office hazards Identify practical ways to overcome common office hazards

3. 3 True/False Pre-Test 1.One of the most important factors for preventing work- related injuries or illnesses is education and training. 2.Student on-the-job injuries are due to the students eagerness to prove themselves to be good workers. 3.Since office workers do not use heavy equipment, machinery, power-tools, or industrial chemicals, there are no safety hazards teens need to be aware of. 4.If you report on-the-job injuries, you may get fired. 5.It is the student workers responsible to make their work area safe and healthful in case the supervisor has an inspection.

4. 4 What is a job hazard? A job hazard is anything at work that can potentially hurt you, kill you, make you sick, or affect your mental health.

5. 5 Office job hazards can be: Physical hazards Chemical hazards Other-type hazards BEWARE! Office job hazards come in many different categories, shapes, sizes, forms, places and personal interactions ! Do we really know what’s inside our office mail?

6. 6 Physical hazards in an office: Loose cords & carpeting can cause workers to trip Unsecured furniture can fall on workers Overloaded desks, shelves & counters can fall/break and cause injury Overloaded electrical circuits can cause fires Slippery floors can cause workers to fall

7. 7 Be physically safe in an office: Do not run cords in public areas Replace frayed & defected electrical cords Keep carpets secured Do not overload electrical outlets Immediately clean up floor spills Secure furniture, file cabinets, etc. Do not overload desks, file cabinets, shelves, etc.

8. 8 Chemical hazards in an office: Both ozone from copier machines & poor office air quality can cause breathing difficulty, headaches, and dizziness NOTE: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide a workplace that is free of serious recognized hazards.

9. 9 Did you know? Copier machines should be kept in separate areas Office workers have the right to good air quality You may ask your employer to correct hazards even if they are not violations of specific OSHA standards NOTE: The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide a workplace that is free of serious recognized hazards.

10. 10 Other-type office hazards: Repetitive work that may cause carpal tunnel syndrome & tendonitis –i.e. computer keyboards & mice Computer monitors may cause neck & eye strain Sitting for long periods of time may cause back strain Contact with public may cause stress & dangerous confrontations Sexual harassment CAUSES emotional stress & fear

11. 11 Be safe from other-type hazards: Vary or rotate job tasks requiring repetitive movements Use adjustable chairs & workstations Position computer monitors correctly Have good posture Take regular breaks

12. 12 Avoid emotional stress & angry customer confrontations by: –completing a “customer service” training workshop –alternating between jobs Avoid being sexually harassed on-the-job by: –understanding company policy on sexual harassment –completing a “sexual harassment” training workshop Be alert and report any hazards or unsafe personal interactions to your supervisor IMMEDIATELY! If you are unsure about anything, ASK questions! –i.e. policies, procedures, who to report information to, unsafe practices, etc. Be safe from other-type hazards:

13. 13 REMEMBER! You have the right to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination You have the right to work in an environment that is safe & healthful You have the right to file a complaint if your job is unsafe without the risk of being fired

14. 14 Reporting an injury: Be sure to report ANY injury to your supervisor & WBL Coordinator ASAP! Be aware that reporting an injury does not reflect negatively on you or your job REMEMBER, if you are unsure about anything, ASK questions! –i.e. policies, procedures, who to report information to, unsafe practices, etc.

15. 15 True/False Post Test 1.Office hazards can be described as physical, chemical and/or other? 2.Examples of office physical safety hazards are overloaded electrical outlets, unsecured furniture & slippery floors? 3.Poor indoor air quality does not create an unsafe or unhealthy working environment. 4.Repetitive tasks such as typing can contribute to muscle, tendon or nerve strain. 5.It’s not your job to clean up floor spills, all spills should be handled by the maintenance department.

16. 16 True/False Post Test (con’t) 6.One of the most important factors for preventing work-related injuries or illnesses is education and training. 7.One reason for student on-the-job injuries are the students eagerness to prove themselves to be good workers. 8.Since office workers do not use heavy equipment, machinery, power-tools, or industrial chemicals, there are no real safety hazards. 9.If you report on-the-job injuries, you may get fired. 10.It is the student workers responsible to make their work area safe and healthful in case the supervisor conducts an inspection.

17. 17 Who is OSHA? OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) is a government agency OSHA was established to protect the safety & health of our nation’s workers OSHA’s mission for teens is to help teens stay healthy & safe while on the job

18. 18 Safety Web Resources http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/ http://www.osha.gov http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/safety/ http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/ http://youngworker.healthandsafetycentre.org/s/Home.asp

19. 19 Pre/Post Test Answer Key 1.True 2.True 3.False 4.True 5.False 6.True 7.True 8.False 9.False 10.False