Summer jobs can be a great way to earn extra money, try out a new line of work, and can teach those just entering the workforce about responsibility, time management and budgeting. However, some summer jobs in Waterbury, Harford and other Connecticut locations can come with additional risks that can lead to workplace injuries.

• Summer is the season of seasonal labor. Schools are out and many high school students and college students are looking for jobs to fill their free time and earn a bit of spending money.
• Summer also provides more opportunities for adult workers in agricultural, tourism, and construction positions.

Workplace injuries do happen on summer jobs, according to some experts. Let’s cover a few reasons why summer staff may be at greater risk of a workplace injury when compared with year-round or full time employees:

1) New to the position, less experience onsite.

Newly hired employees still learning how to complete the duties that they have been assigned are more likely to be injured than employees who have been on the job for a longer period of time. A study by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) found that in the first 30 days in a new position the new hire has three times the risk of an injury. This study compared the new workers injury risks to employees that had been in the position for a minimum of one year.

Newly hired employees may be more at risk due to the lack of training or proper supervision at the on-set of their employment. Experienced, older workers cannot always fully train the new hires (possibly due to staffing shortages) and may not cover all of the hazards of the workplace. New hires may be more focused working on developing their skills rather than on focusing on workplace safety. Employers can never forget the importance of proper safety training to ensure the workplace is safe for new and seasonal workers.

2) Seasonal summer blue collar work comes with risks.

Agricultural and construction jobs most often put workers in contact with or working near heavy or hazardous machinery. Construction workers can experience falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and being caught in or between objects, which can lead to injury.

 Agricultural workers working in the fields may be exposed to extreme heat and other risks. Tractors are the most frequent cause (one-third to one-half) of injury for fatal farm accidents but account for a much smaller percentage (5 to 10 percent) of nonfatal farm accidents.

Due to inexperience even traditional summer jobs for teens – including retail positions and restaurant positions can lead to sprains, back injuries, burns, and other injuries.

3) First time workers.

When local colleges and high schools break for the summer, the availability of under experienced workers increases. Younger and less experienced workers often face some additional risk factors in the workplace. Many new to the workforce may not fully understand their rights as employees and therefore may not realize they can turn down unsafe work. Younger workers may not be offered complete training as their position is seasonal or they may not know they have access to training. As parents it is very important to talk to our children before they start looking for any new job to discuss what their responsibilities may include as well as ways to stay safe on the job.

4) High temperatures of summer work outdoors.

Hot & humid weather in the summer can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, serious skin burns, and more which can increase the risk of falling, additional injuries, and can even be life-threatening. New employees may not understand the importance of hydration or even understand their personal limitations when working in the heat. It is very important to try to stay cool and hydrated, dress properly and take breaks when working outdoors. Work indoors, if possible.

If you have been injured on the job in Waterbury or anywhere in Connecticut, you may qualify for worker’s compensation if your injuries were serious and prevent you from working. Upon reviewing your circumstances, you may also have other legal options. To learn more about what can be done in your situation, contact Tindall Law Firm for a free consultation. Our law firm is proud to have been part of the Waterbury community for over 25 years, specializing in helping the injured for 25 years, and we serve clients across Connecticut from our offices in Waterbury and West Hartford.