Summertime is when many teens punch a time clock for the first time.

For millions, this means working at a fast food restaurant where assaults from crooks and trips to doctors’ offices because of accidents on slippery floors can eat all of the cash for college—and then some.

The danger is real: An estimated 200,000 teens are sexually assaulted on the job each year while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates one teen is injured at work every nine minutes.

These numbers, like most statistics, don’t show the complete picture. Not all those injuries are at fast food outlets but enough of them are to be of legitimate concern to parents, a family’s financial advisor and others concerned about a teen headed for the world of work for the first time.

An easy (and fun) way to help a young person stay safe from predators and hamburger grease pyrotechnics on a fast food job is to forward them this link:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/restaurant/index.html

It’s a learning aid disguised as a game from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

If you want to be a killjoy and just give the advice directly, here are some pointers from the tool:

To keep safe from outsiders and harm from co-workers:

 

*Keep the backdoor locked unless you are receiving a delivery.

*Do not count cash in front of customers.

*Keep the cash register closed when not in use.

*Keep the cash register in line of sight of other employees. Try not to block it.

*Help your boss establish lockup procedures—that all employees should leave the workplace at the same time and follow the rules, for instance.

*Know and use the safety plan when dealing with unsatisfied customers, robbery or theft.

 

To keep safe from workplace physical hazards:

 

*Use any personal protective equipment provided by your employer such as gloves, eye goggles and special aprons.

*Keep a drive-through window closed as much as possible to avoid inhaling carbon monoxide and other harmful auto exhaust pollutants.

*Keep stove surfaces clean to prevent grease flare-ups.

*Wear slip-resistant shoes.

*Do not pour excess ice from fry packages into the fryer.

*Let a falling knife fall. Do not try to catch it.