July 27, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Risk of lost worktime injuries for youth

Per hour worked, the risk of a lost worktime injury to 16- and 17-year old workers is highest in the health services industry among the six industries employing the most workers in this age group.

[Chart data—TXT]

In 1997, 16- and 17- year olds in the health services industry were about three times as likely to have a lost worktime injury per hour worked, on average, than in the other major industries employing youths in this age group. The health services industry accounted for 9.4 percent of injuries to this group of workers and for 3.0 percent of hours worked (according to hours estimates).

Youths employed in amusement and recreation services had, on average, only half the risk of a lost worktime injury than their counterparts in the other industries in 1997. The amusement and recreation services industry accounted for 5.0 percent of injuries to 16- and 17- year old workers and for 11.3 percent of hours worked.

Data on occupational injuries of youths are a product of the BLS Safety and Health Statistics Program. Data on trends in youth employment are from the Current Population Survey. Additional information is available from Chapter 6 of the Report on the Youth Labor Force. Lost worktime injuries involve at least a day away from work, beyond the day of injury or onset of illness. The survey that produced the injury data only covers larger agricultural employers and wage and salary workers, so injuries to youths working on small family farms and/or as unpaid family workers are not included.