A retailer advocacy organization is encouraging employers to take advantage of a free program offering safety certifications for young workers to reduce workplace injuries. 

SAFEME is an online training platform that provides foundational safety instruction to help young workers develop essential skills they can build on to avoid injury on the job, according to a release from Washington Retail Association.

The platform, which is supported by the state Department of Labor & Industries, offers two certificate programs SAFEME Essentials and SAFEME Automotive. 

The SAFEME Essentials certificate covers 12 foundational workplace safety topics, including accident prevention, personal protective equipment, slips, trips and falls, proper lifting, ladder safety, utility and box knives, material handling, fire safety, distracted driving, forklift safety, and workplace violence.   

For automotive businesses, the SAFEME Automotive certificate provides training on 12 industry-specific topics, including chemical safety, eye wash stations, car wash safety, electrical safety, power tools, tire handling, welding and cutting operations, lockout/tagout procedures, automotive lifting, and parking lot hazards.   

Each certificate can be completed online at the employee’s own pace and provides a job-skill credential that workers can add to a resume. The training is available in English and Spanish and is designed to support onboarding, refresher training, and ongoing safety education.  

Go to: WRASafeMe.org.