Keeping Teens Safe at Work
Beatriz Vautin, MPHTeens at Work Project
Occupational Health Surveillance Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Funded in part by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Background data An estimated 160,000 teens in the US are
injured at work every year
66,000 teens are injured seriously enough to visit the emergency room every year
Over 50 teens are killed on the job every year
Teens have high overall rate of non-fatal injuries compared to adults: good data are not available on rates for youth vs adults in specific jobs
Risk Factors for Young Workers
Job hazards Inexperience Inadequate training and supervision Employment in inappropriate/illegal jobs Development characteristics (not just little
adults) Physical Psychosocial
Balancing school and work
Work-related Injuries to Young Workers by Age, Gender, and Data Source
Massachusetts: 2002-2006
010203040506070
Per
cent
ED Data (n=778)WC Data (n=1124)
Age - Years
Gender
Work-related Injuries to Young Workers by Injury Type and Data Source
Massachusetts: 2002-2006
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
sprains,strains, tears
cuts,lacerations,punctures
bruisescontusions,crushings
burns fractures other
Injury Type
Pe
rce
nt
ED Data (n=778)
WC Data (n=1124)
Occupational Injuries to Young Workers by Selected Industry, Massachusetts: 2002-
2006
Food Services29%
Health Care12%
Construction6%
Other24%
Retail29%
Interviews with Teens Injured at Work
Massachusetts: July 1994-2003
51
33
15 17
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
No safetytraining
No work permit No supervisoron site
Permanenteffects*
Pe
rce
nt
* Anticipated permanent pain, limited sensation or loss of movement.
798 Interviews
Narrative Results
10% reported that the equipment being used was malfunctioning or a safety device had been removed.
“The french fryer was low in oil partly because it hadn’t been working properly. We had notified the owner and manager but nothing had been done about it.”
9% appeared to be performing a task or working hours prohibited under the child labor laws.
“I was using the deli slicer to cut up lettuce.” “I was working at 2:30 a.m. at a retail bakery.”
10% waited a day or more before seeking medical treatment. “When I woke up in the a.m., my hand was swollen and red and purple,
so I went to the ER where I was diagnosed with second degree burns.”
4% of adolescents reported that their supervisors made them stay at work.
“Then I went to the supervisor who did not want to fill out an accident report and told me to work light duty. I worked 2 shifts that day while my finger kept bleeding.”
Connecting Activities
What can teachers use to teach health and safety to teens?
What resources are available to help with the Work-Based Learning Plan?
Materials
Massachusetts Department of Public Healthwww.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
Youth @ Work: Talking Safety Massachusettswww.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/ma
NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schoolswww.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/default.html
YouthRules! Factsheetswww.youthrules.dol.gov/factsheets.htm
Some materials available from the MDPHTeens at Work: Injury Surveillance and Prevention
Project
Materials
Massachusetts Department of Public Healthwww.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
Youth @ Work: Talking Safety Massachusettswww.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/ma
NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schoolswww.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/
default.html
YouthRules! Factsheetswww.youthrules.dol.gov/factsheets.htm
Materials Continued
NJ Safe Schools Health and Safety Checkwww.njsafeschools.org/pub.html
Inexperienced Workers Fact Sheetwww.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/videoresource/
stpinexp.pdf
OSHA Restaurant eToolwww.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/restaurant
Massachusetts Resources Office of the Attorney Generalwww.mass.gov/ago/youthemployment
Labor Low Downwww.laborlowdown.com
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
www.mass.gov/dos *click on “youth employment information”
National Resources NIOSH Young Worker Health & Safety Websitewww.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth
US DOL YouthRules! Websitewww.youthrules.dol.gov
OSHA Teen Workers Websitewww.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers
National Young Worker Safety Resource Centerwww.youngworkers.org/nation
Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbiawww2.worksafebc.com/topics/youngworker/
home.asp
Teens at Work Injury Surveillance and Prevention Project
www.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
(617) 624-5677
