The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation Announces Safe Jobs for Youth Month, May 2021
OAKLAND — The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) announces Safe Jobs for Youth Month. Every May, statewide organizations and government agencies participate in and support a public awareness information campaign consisting of fun and engaging learning activities about workplace safety for teenagers. As was true last year, the COVID-19 virus pandemic is altering summer planning for youth and employers alike, but the need for safe working conditions does not change.
To address COVID-19 hazards, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) of the Department of Industrial Relations has posted infection prevention guidance for employers and workers. This guidance helps employers comply with requirements necessary to protect workers exposed to infectious diseases like COVID-19 and also gives workers information on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, California is issuing regular updates on COVID-19, including Coronavirus resources for California employers and workers compiled by the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
Safe Jobs for Youth Month is supported by the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety, sponsored by CHSWC, and coordinated by the University of California, Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP). The objective of the campaign is to educate youth and inform employers, parents and the community about workplace health and safety to help prevent teen workplace injuries. The campaign is scheduled to help better prepare youth as they seek or begin summer employment opportunities. Activities and resources include a poster contest, a social media campaign, fact sheets, and trainings on safety topics, including prevention of COVID-19 exposure for retail and service workers. Additional resources include a Working Teen mobile app which can be reviewed or downloaded for free.
To raise awareness about teen worker safety in California, the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety brings together key representatives from government agencies and statewide organizations involved with California youth employment and education issues or that otherwise play a role in educating and protecting young workers.
CHSWC is charged with examining the health and safety and workers’ compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers’ compensation system and of the state’s activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational illnesses and to examine those programs in other states.
Visit YoungWorkers.org for more information about the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety and Safe Jobs for Youth Month.
Information about CHSWC is available on the CHSWC website. Information may also be obtained by writing to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation, 1515 Clay Street, 17th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612; by calling (510) 622-3959; by faxing a request to (510) 286-0499; or by email to chswc@dir.ca.gov. Please note that postal service may be subject to delays. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, CHSWC public meetings will be held online until further notice.