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 Do
you employ teens?
Teen workers can be an asset to your
workforce. They are enthusiastic and eager to learn however because
of their biologic, social, and economic characteristics, young
workers have unique and substantial risks for work-related injuries
and illnesses. On-the-job injuries to teens can be costly, even
deadly.
Approximately 2.3 million adolescents aged 16 to 17 years worked in
the U.S. in 2005. In 2004, 35 youth under 18 years of age died from work-related injuries. In 2003, an
estimated 54,800 work-related injuries and illnesses among youth less than 18
years of age were treated in hospital emergency departments. As only
one-third of work-related injuries are seen in emergency
departments, it is likely that approximately 160,000 youth sustain
work-related injuries and illnesses each year. [More...]
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Here are ways employers can limit or prevent
workplace injuries and make work safer for teens and all workers. |
Follow the law! Adolescent workers are protected by two laws enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL):
Follow the law! Multiple
agencies of the US Department of Labor
(DOL) enforce laws to protect workers. Two of these agencies are the
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the
Employment Standards Administration (ESA). OSHA enforces
regulations
and standards under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.
Depending on your location, you, as the employer, must comply with
hazard-specific occupational safety and health standards promulgated
either by
federal OSHA or by your state (if it is an OSHA-approved
state plan). Your
federal
or
state OSHA office will help you regarding OSHA regulations and
standards.
The Employment Standards Administration (ESA)
enforces
Child
Labor Laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Contact your
local ESA office for questions on child labor laws, the FLSA and
the other laws enforced by the ESA.
The
OSH Act requires that employers provide a safe and healthful
work environment and comply with occupational safety and health
standards. This includes
OSHA Standards such as:
- Employers must assess the hazards in their workplace, select
the appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) for their employees, such as gloves, aprons, and foot protection and
inform their employees
what is appropriate. [29
CFR 1910.132(a)]
and [29 CFR 1910.132(d)]
- Employers must make any employees exposed to hazardous materials aware of the hazards and train them to
protect themselves from these hazards [29 CFR 1910.1200].
- Employers must display a poster
prepared by the Department of Labor (DOL) or your state
labor department informing employees of the protections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act P.L.
91-596, December 29, 1970 and its amendments.
Consider implementing the following:
- A review of the worksite to eliminate identified hazards and ensure jobs are as safe as possible.
- Youth Rules! Protecting the Working Teen.
Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation, DCEO, and the OSHA North Aurora and Chicago
North Area Offices, 384 KB
Video, 15 minutes. Assists employers in understanding what their responsibilities are for
providing a safe and healthful workplace for teenage workers as well as how to
recognize and eliminate workplace hazards.
- Provide training to ensure that adolescents recognize hazards and are
competent in safe work practices. Training should include how to prepare for
fires, accidents, violent situations, and what to do if they get injured. Teens need to know that if they
get injured, they have the right to file a claim to cover their medical benefits and some of their lost
work time.
- Assign supervisors to teens that recognize hazards and are
competent in safe work practices.
- Supervise teens. Verify that teens
routinely recognize hazards
and use safe work practices.
- Stress safety, particularly among first-line supervisors; they have the
greatest opportunity to influence teens and their work habits.
- Implement a mentoring or buddy system for new youth workers. Have either an
adult or experienced teen be a buddy to answer questions to help the inexperienced worker learn the ropes
of a new job.
- Encourage teens to ask questions about tasks or procedures that are unclear
or not understood.
- Remember that teens are not just "little adults." Employers must be mindful of the unique
aspects of communicating with teens.
- Ensure that equipment operated by teens is both
legal and safe for them to use. Employers should label equipment young workers are
not allowed to operate. The YouthRules! website has available downloadable
stickers for employers to place on hazardous equipment to alert all workers that no one under 18 years
of age may operate the equipment. There is also a sticker designed specifically for forklifts
developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
- Develop a
drug-free workplace program. Abuse of alcohol and other drugs by workers of any age creates significant but
avoidable workplace hazards. Research indicates that adolescents who work longer hours may be more at risk for alcohol and drug
abuse. Drug-free workplace programs that educate employees about drug issues help improve workplace safety and health and send a
clear, early signal to young workers that in order to work, they must be drug free.
- Develop a safety and health program in your facility to help prevent
workplace injuries.
- A strong safety and health program involves all workers, supervisors, management, experienced workers,
and teen workers.
- Many safety and health problems and injuries can be prevented through simple workplace or work process
redesign.
- For help in establishing or improving your safety and health program, see the
OSHA Consultation Directory.
- For additional help for small businesses,
see:
Small Business Handbook. OSHA Publication
2209-02R, (2005). Also available as a 260 KB
PDF, 56 pages.
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Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH).
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
US Department of Labor (DOL) Youth Worker
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Information
Child Labor Fact
Sheets
- Fact Sheet #2.
Restaurants and Fast Food Establishments under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Fact Sheet #32.
Youth Minimum Wage - Fair Labor Standards
Act.
- Fact Sheet #34.
Hazardous Occupations Order No. 2. Youth
Employment Provision and Driving Automobiles and Trucks under the
Fair Labor Standards (FLSA).
- Fact Sheet #37.
Application of the Federal Youth
Employment Provisions to Amusement Parks and Recreation
Establishments under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Fact Sheet #38.
Employing Youth in Grocery Stores under
the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Fact Sheet #40.
Federal Child Labor Laws in Farm Jobs. A
Spanish version is also available.
- Fact Sheet #41.
Fast Food, Full Service Restaurant, and Supermarket Industries Child Labor
Compliance Survey.
- Fact Sheet #43.
Youth Employment Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
For Nonagricultural Occupations. A
Spanish version is also available.
US Department of Labor (DOL) Guides
Additional Information
-
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Prevents occupational fatalities across the nation by identifying
and investigating work situations at high risk for injury and then
formulating and disseminating prevention strategies to those who
can intervene in the workplace.
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Youth Fatality Investigative Reports.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Traumatic Occupational Injuries Topic. Provides fatality reports from across the country involving youth.
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science,
Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF
and Video materials.
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