Risky business: here's how to stay out of harm's way on the job this summer

Career World, April-May, 2008 by Melissa Daly

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

There's no doubt about it: Working during the summer always beats sitting around. You get to meet new people, bond with your crew after hours, add a line to your resume, and maybe even learn a new skill. The whole time, you're earning money to spend or save for whatever you want. The catch: Working puts you in a new environment that comes with its own set of health hazards.

"Young workers may not believe that some of these hazards--such as sun exposure, accidents, or even crime--will ever affect them. But they can, if precautionary steps aren't taken," says Robert Nester, a registered nurse and health scientist at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). About 70 teens die each year of work-related injuries, and tens of thousands visit emergency rooms. Whatever your dream summer job is, here's what to look out for to stay safe.

Restaurant Jobs

From drive-throughs to five-star restaurants, food service is a big industry for teen workers. You could get a job as a host, waitperson, cook, barista, dishwasher, or cashier. With all the hot pans, food spills, and knives lurking about, those aren't always the safest gigs, though. "The main concerns here are burns and slip-and-fall injuries," notes Elise Handelman, director of the Office of Occupational Health Nursing at OSHA.

You can do plenty to avoid getting hurt, however. "At the seafood restaurant where I'm a hostess and busser, I have to walk in the kitchen after they've just sprayed down the floors each night. So my supervisor told me where to buy nonslip shoes," says Courtney, 19, of Summerfield, Fla.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Here are your top priorities for staying safe at a restaurant job:

* Slow down. Safety is more important than speed, even when customers (or your boss!) seem impatient.

* Avoid falls. Wear covered, nonslip shoes and clean up any spills immediately.

* Think "hot." Assume machines, plates, and surfaces--as well as oil, steam, and food--are hot, even if you're not sure. Use dry cloths to carry hot dishes, wear long-sleeved cotton clothes when cooking, and always use tongs rather than your hands when you need to handle hot equipment or food.

Retail Jobs

Folding clothes, stocking shelves, or running a cash register may not seem very dangerous, but retail jobs actually cause the highest number of deaths among young worker aside from farm jobs, mainly because of crimes committed at grocery, convenience, jewelry, and other types of stores. 'Tm never alone in the store," says Evelyn, 18, who works at a shoe store in Manhattan, "but I do have to leave at 10:30 some nights, and I worry about getting home safely." She keeps her cell phone at the ready, sometimes with 911 punched in so she can react more quickly in case of an emergency. "Violence is a major concern," confirms Handelman. "But so are more common injuries like back strains due to heavy lifting."

How to protect yourself:

* Never work alone, especially at night. Always stay within sight of at least one coworker.

* Protect your back. To avoid back strain, wear a weight belt for any heavy lifting, and use a hand truck instead of carrying large or awkward loads. Make several trips instead of trying to carry everything at once.

* Know how to handle a tough situation. Be sure you receive training from your employer on how to deal with a robbery attempt or even just an angry customer. If a robbery occurs, hand over whatever money or merchandise the thief wants and don't leave the store, either with the thief or to follow him or her. No amount of property is worth risking your life for.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Outdoor Jobs

Working as a lifeguard, a camp counselor, or an amusement park employee can be a ton of fun, as long as you watch out for a few health-related issues. "When exposed to the elements, you want to be careful of communicable diseases, sunburn, and heat exhaustion and dehydration," cautions Handelman. Andrew, a 17-year-old lifeguard in McLean, Va., agrees. "One week, I worked several long shifts during the hottest part of the day, and I got dehydrated," says Andrew. "After that, I made sure to drink lots of water and wear a shirt to protect my body from the sun."

Your stay-healthy checklist for any outdoor job:

* Be sun safe. Every day, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses labeled "100% UV protection."

* Drink plenty of fluids. Plenty means 16 to 32 ounces of water, juice, or a sports drink per hour when you're active in hot weather.

* Sweat it. If you experience heavy sweating or no sweating at all, especially red or especially pale skin, dizziness, nausea, headache, weakness, or confusion, tell someone immediately--you may have heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be fatal. Cool down with shade, rest, a cool bath, and/or air conditioning.

* Protect yourself from communicable diseases. Wear insect repellent and protective clothing to ward off mosquitoes, which can carry the potentially fatal West Nile virus, and ticks, which can cause Lyme disease. Ask your doctor if you're up to date on booster shots, such as the one for tetanus--transmitted through cuts and puncture wounds--which you need to get every 10 years.