Safety in the Workplace

Forget the lazy days of summer. As the temperatures rise, so too does the number of teens who work and the hours they work. And that means more teens will be at risk for injuries incurred on the job. Most teens work in restaurants, grocery stores, department stores, gas stations, and offices. Cuts, bruises, burns, fractures, sprains, and strains are some of the most common injuries in working teens. These can result from such events as falls, lifting heavy objects, bumping into an object, contact with hot equipment, being hit by a falling object, and cutting oneself with a knife or a tool. The highest rate of adolescent injuries occurs in eating and drinking establishments.

Many factors contribute to work-related injuries in teens. Some teens may not have the strength or height to perform certain tasks safely. Teens may be sleep deprived and not alert to safety hazards. They lack work experience and the experience to judge whether they are competent to perform a task. Sometimes physically mature teens, especially boys who appear strong, will be assigned adult tasks for which they don’t have the experience or know-how. Most teens are energetic and enthusiastic, so they may take on jobs for which they may be unprepared. And, many teens are reluctant to ask questions. Fortunately, most teenage injuries on the job are preventable. Young people ages 14 to 17 can reduce their risk of work-related injury by exercising their rights as employees and by being responsible on the job.

Fast Facts* 42 percent of teens ages 16 and 17 are working at any single time. 80 percent of all teens work sometime while they are in high school. 200,000 teens get injured on the job every year. 70,000 teens require treatment in a hospital emergency department for work-related injuries. 70 teens die every year from work injuries. *National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Figures are approximate.

What Are the Rights of Employees?

The following scenarios illustrate two major legal rights of teen employees. Compliance with labor laws by teens and their employers greatly reduces the risk of injury. What’s Wrong with This Picture?

The Picture: 17-year-old Romero catches his hand in a meat slicer. He is lucky; the surgeon is able to repair the damage with stitches. What’s Wrong: Romero was doing a job that is illegal for a person his age. Child labor laws prohibit persons under 18 to do many kinds of dangerous work, including operating some types of powered equipment and driving a motor vehicle as part of the job. Additional restrictions apply to teens who are 14 or 15 years old. Teens are more likely to be injured when they are doing jobs they are not allowed to do by law. Even when they know a job is dangerous or illegal for a person their age, some teens may tackle it to try to show they can do an adult’s job. Exercising the Right: Teens should not do a job that is illegal for someone their age. They can contact their school counselor or call the State Department of Labor (look in the blue government pages of the white phone book) to confirm whether their job or task is permitted. They also have the right to refuse unsafe work tasks and conditions.

The Picture: 16-year-old LaToya removes grease from a fryer and burns her hand. She is unable to use her hand for several days. What’s Wrong: LaToya’s employer never provided safety training. LaToya was never shown how to prevent injuries from using cooking equipment. In one survey of teens who had been injured on the job, over half reported that they had received no training in methods to prevent their injuries.

Exercising the Right: Teens have the right to training in safe work practices. Teens should ask for training if they did not receive it. What Are the Responsibilities of Working Teens? Preventing injuries in the workplace is not entirely the responsibility of the employer. Working teens also have responsibilities:

1. Practice safe work habits. Follow safety rules. Attend training programs—and pay attention! Use protective clothing and equipment. Keep your work area neat.
2. Ask questions. Don’t do a task for which you know you are unprepared. Don’t use a piece of equipment unless you have been trained. If you need something, ask for it, e.g., a stepstool.
3. Wear appropriate shoes for preventing slips and falls.
4. Know how to lift safely. Sprains and strains due to overexertion can be severe. NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) recommends that adolescents generally should not lift objects weighing greater than 15 pounds more than once per minute or lift objects weighing greater than 30 pounds. They should not do continuous lifting for more than two hours.
5. Get plenty of sleep. Fatigue can increase the risk of injury.
6. Report any hazards to your supervisor. Don't be afraid to speak up. By law, your employer cannot fire you for reporting a workplace problem.

Additional Ideas for Teaching About Workplace Safety.

Students can contact their nearest NIOSH office for tips on preventing injuries at work. Students who are working or who have worked can share their knowledge and experiences about safety practices in the workplace.