Training Seasonal Workers on Core 6 Strategies

Summer means an increase in seasonal staff, but you don’t want that to equate to an increase in injuries. You can reduce that risk by promoting Core 6 principles throughout your department and emphasizing the importance of safety, especially with seasonal staff.

Northbrook Park District

Kevin Campbell, Northbrook Park District’s Risk Management Analyst, faces the challenge of educating lifeguards, camp counselors, golf staff — some 300 total — each summer. “Managers and supervisors do a tremendous job getting ready for the summer months,” he notes. “My goal is safety and security, accomplished through effective and targeted training of seasonal staff.”

That means taking the time to share — and show — employees the Core 6 principles. “Show them the correct form and how to stretch properly. Show them how to conduct a safety walk-through and what hazards are common and should be avoided. Give them a Core 6 wallet card, practice what you preach, and hold them accountable.  Don't be afraid to correct poor technique — and explain why it’s important to do things properly,” he advises.

Northbrook found that on-site trainers are invaluable and halted a spike in back injuries among golf staff that the agency traced to improper form while cup cutting on the course. “We had an injury prevention specialist come out to evaluate the cup-cutting task and work with staff on proper technique and reversal of posture stretches.”

In addition to the golf staff, parks employees also benefitted from a similar job task review. “First they discussed proper lifting techniques and then demonstrated the techniques using the same tools and equipment our crews use,” Campbell explains. “Then the crews practiced, too.” He even videotaped the demonstrations to use for training full-time and seasonal staff in the future.

“The Core 6 wallet card is a simple, effective strategy to help keep safety in the forefront of everyone’s mind — whether they’re a full-time or seasonal employee.”

Never Assume

At Hoffman Estates Park District, John Giacalone, Director of Park Services/Development & Risk Management, notes that although the agency rehires many of the same seasonal workers, he never assumes they’re familiar with Core 6.
 
“Before our seasonal staff returns, we hold Train-the-Trainer sessions,” he says. “Our safety director prepares those who will be training staff by answering their questions, setting priorities and sharing PDRMA’s best-practice recommendations.”
 
A key strategy to spread the word about safety among seasonal workers is encouraging full-time and seasonal staff to mingle — at lunchtime barbeques as well as in training sessions. “It promotes a team effort and makes the training and techniques part of their everyday work habit, not just a periodic event.”  

The camaraderie also creates a comfort level for peer coaching when needed and encourages full-time employees to be good examples for seasonal staff. Group activities — such as morning stretches — are also effective.  PDRMA training classes on correct lifting and safety, followed by an on-site visit to watch crews on the job, have been very successful as well, especially when the class is available in Spanish as well as English.

 “We even have some Core 6 posters in Spanish that we display throughout our maintenance facility and in vehicles, so it’s easy for everyone to remember what they should be doing.”

First-time Employees Can Excel

The Zion Park District hires approximately 110 seasonal workers, with about half of them new each summer, according to Marilyn Krieger, Executive Director, CPRP. “We are many kids’ first job,” she notes. “They don’t know how to be an employee and have limited skills, so training is the main portion of our summer preparation.”

Despite their inexperience, they’re high achievers in training. The agency earned the 2015 Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award from Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc., honoring it for exceeding industry standards in risk management and providing its patrons with superior safety service.
 
The training regimen for seasonal workers starts with a week-long course for camp staff and pool staff.  “Our full-time supervisors design and implement the training — ongoing throughout the summer — for seasonal staff, and it includes information about Core 6 and our safety training manual,“ Krieger explains. 

“We follow protocols for personal protective equipment, prepare staff for emergency situations, promote the Core 6 strategy with required daily stretching for summer maintenance and golf maintenance staff, and provide internal guard games to promote fun and foster team work.”

The supervisors also receive the training they need, with each of them completing PDRMA’s “A Supervisor’s Role in Injury Prevention” course as well as “HELP — Essentials of Human Resources Curriculum.” Other training activities at Zion include:

• A monthly safety topic for full-, part-time and seasonal staff on topics ranging from fire and severe weather preparedness to emergency communications, first aid and other subjects.
• An incentive program for full- and part-time staff that includes a point system for attending training programs.
• A bi-weekly payroll safety question worth $25.00 (from a random drawing) if answered correctly.

”It’s imperative for full-time staff to work with seasonal employees daily on safety-related information — from stretching programs to full drills at the pool to plans for fun, safe activities at camp,” Kreiger concludes. “Integrating safety into everyone’s day requires every employee to participate.”

PDRMA Resources:

• Core 6 Strategy Card. (Search “Core 6” on the PDRMA website, select the strategy card and complete the order form.)
• Core 6 Sign.  (Search “Core 6” on the PDRMA website, select the strategy card and complete the order form.)
• Core 6 Video.