Sometimes, some charter schools will employ teenage students as custodians or for other part-time work. If your charter school is planning on doing so, please keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Know the Law
  • Understand most state child labor laws. These prohibit teens from working late and extended hours and doing hazardous work.
  • Understand OSHA’s work safety and health regulations. These are designed to protect all employees, including teens, from injury.
  1. Check Your Compliance
  • Ensure teen employees are not assigned work schedules that violate the law or are given prohibited job tasks like operating heavy equipment or using power tools.
  1. Check Work Permits
  • Workers under 18 must apply for work permits at their school or school district office before beginning a new job. Work permits are not required for those who have graduated from high school or passed the high school equivalency exam.
  1. Stress Safety to Supervisors
  • Make sure frontline supervisors who give teens their job assignments know the law. Encourage supervisors to set a good example. They are best positioned to influence teens’ attitudes and work habits.
  1. Set Up a Safety and Health Program
  • Make sure all jobs and work areas are free of hazards. The law requires you to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Under OSHA regulations, every workplace must have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Involve every worker in the program, including teens. Find out if simple, low-cost safety measures can prevent injuries.
  1. Train Teens to Put Safety First
  • Give teens clear instructions for each task. Provide hands-on training on the correct use of equipment. Show them what safety precautions to take. Point out possible hazards. Give them a chance to ask questions.
  • Observe teens while they work and correct any mistakes. Retrain them regularly. Encourage teens to let you know if a problem or directions are unclear. Make sure teens feel free to speak up.
  • Prepare teens for emergencies, such as accidents, fires, violent situations, etc. Show them escape routes and explain where to go if they need emergency medical treatment.
  • Supply personal protective equipment when needed—goggles, safety shoes, masks, hard hats, gloves, etc. Be sure that teens know how to use it.