Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
OSHA Teen Safety Kick-off Ceremony
New York, New York
April 21, 2008

Thank you — it's great to be here!

Today, OSHA is teaming up with SKILLS USA to kick off its national Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign. The goal is to help educate teens on how to be safe in the workplace.

Every Summer, approximately 2 million young men and women join America's workforce. Many of them work in restaurants, in retail, in construction, at amusement parks, or near water, for example. And, it's important that they're aware of the risks and hazards that can exist.

We can help teens by teaching them to:

• Be alert!
• Learn what you should do to keep safe.
• For example, if your job requires you to wear gloves or protective goggles — then make sure you do!
• If you work outdoors — remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
• And, it's a great idea to learn some basic first aid training.

These and other useful tips are available online at: www.osha.gov.

Today, as part of this campaign, the Labor Department will participate in local events around the country, including career fairs, youth programs, and expos. The goal is to raise awareness. We want to help keep you safe — it's never too early to learn good safety habits! We want teens to make the most of the many wonderful opportunities that are available. But, most importantly — we want them to always remember to put safety first!

Thank you!

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