For students, summer jobs at local restaurants, stores, andother small businesses to gain some work experience and earn alittle extra money. This summer however, these jobs are hard tocome by for student workers according to a new poll of smallbusiness owners by EMPLOYERS.

Only one in five (19%) of small business owners plan to hirestudent workers this summer, and summer jobs at small businesseswill remain flat compared to last year.

Despite the bleak outlook for summer jobs for both college andhigh school students, the survey also reveals that workplace safetytraining for student employees is often overlooked.

“Many small businesses don't recognize the risks associated withstudent workers and don't provide any type of workplace safetytraining,” said EMPLOYERS COO Stephen V. Festa. “Even though theymay be temporary, these workers are eligible for the same workers'compensation benefits as full-time employees if they get injured orill on the job.”

According to the poll, 27% of small business owners said thatthey do not offer workplace safety training for new student workersthey employ, and among those who do offer workplace safetytraining, only 52% make it a requirement.

Festa believes that workplace safety training may not be apriority due to a false sense of security. “Last summer, onlythree percent of business owners who hired students reported thatthey had one get injured or ill on the job. While a low incidentrate is good news, overlooking workplace safety is a poor businessdecision. By creating a culture of safety, costly employee injuriesmay be prevented.”

Click through the following slides for Festa's tips for smallbusiness owners to ensure the safety of all of their employees,including students hired for the summer.

Identify and assess potential hazards

Business owners and managers should identify and documentpotential hazards, as well as put proper safety procedures in placebefore employees use equipment or materials in the workplace.

By establishing simple safety procedures, such as requiringrubber-soled shoes to be worn by all employees in restaurants andwarehouses, employers can help prevent accidents. However, it isnot enough to establish a protocol. Employers must document theseprocedures because it establishes a record that can be referencedin the event of an OSHA inspection or insurance audit.

Provide education and training

Business owners should provide employees with information andtraining on their injury and illness prevention programs. Thesetraining sessions should especially be held whenever newsubstances, processes, procedures or equipment are introduced intothe workplace.

Proper training includes the identification of potentialhazards, preventative measures for common accidents, as well aswhat to do if an accident occurs. EMPLOYERS also suggests thatbusiness owners train employees in a language they understand,especially in a bilingual environment.

Enlist management and employeeparticipation

Employers should encourage employees to provide feedbackregarding the safety situation in the workplace environment. At alllevels, employees should be involved in establishing, implementingand evaluating safety programs.

This also means that managers are not exempt from safetyprocedures. Employees in authoritative positions are responsible tolead by example and should be held accountable for workplacesafety.

Evaluate programeffectiveness

Business owners should routinely evaluate their workplace safetyprograms. An annual review is a great way to routinely assess theprogram, but employers should also consider reviewing theirworkplace safety program whenever new or previously unknown hazardsare discovered.