Many young workers have jobs in food service, from the finest restaurants to food trucks. All these workplaces have inherent risks, and some of those can have life-altering consequences. On March 15, 2023, a young worker at an ice cream parlor was cleaning the ice cream machine. They had a rag in their right hand…

This year’s Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Eugene featured a student/young professional day of those who were studying public health or occupational safety or others who have an interest in pursuing a future career in the field. Seven participants from a variety of backgrounds gathered to attend breakout sessions, tour the exhibit hall,…

Written by Alan Martinez Pesticides are used in a wide variety of occupational settings – just a few of the examples include agriculture, forestry, water and wastewater treatment, residential properties, healthcare, and pest control services. While pesticides can have many beneficial effects like mitigating unwanted pests that destroy crops, they can become dangerous when not…

We are recruiting for students or early career safety and health professionals to spend some time at the Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference on March 4, 2024. Here is more information Cascade Conference Student/Early Career Day | Oregon young employee safety

Written by OR-FACE November was Young Employee Safety Awareness Month – and these reminders are important all year long! (Note from editor) In honor of November being Young Employee Safety Awareness month, the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) team from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health and Science University…

High school students across Oregon are encouraged to submit a 30- to 90-second video or a graphic design that persuades young workers to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training. The training was developed in a partnership between Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition O[yes]. A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded in…

Many jobs held by young workers are in retail or food establishments that operate into hours of darkness. This is especially true as the days get shorter and the weather cools. Talk with your employer about any changes to procedures during nighttime hours, and share some of these ideas: Empty garbage, bring in carts, or…

Written by Matt Agnew During my first year of graduate studies at Oregon State University, in the Environmental and Occupational MPH Program, I had multiple professors talk in great depth about the importance of looking beyond the usual professional boundaries of public health when facing current problems. They often emphasized the value of building relationships…

by Bella Giusti This past spring, I was taking classes, working, volunteering, applying to internships, and socializing. I was struggling to keep up and would find myself falling asleep doing homework or during long shifts. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough compared to my peers, but the truth was I was exhausted. Fatigue is…

Many young worker jobs have a lot of heat – and by that, I mean they might be working in a hot kitchen, or outside trimming trees in the sun, or scorching by a poolside as a lifeguard. Even off work it gets hot while hiking, swimming, or on camping trips. 1 – Know the…