Young Worker Safety and Health

Approximately 2.3 million adolescents aged 16 to 17 years worked in the U.S. in 2007. Official employment statistics are not available for younger adolescents who are also known to work, especially in agricultural settings. Because of their biologic, social, and economic characteristics, young workers have unique and substantial risks for work-related injuries and illnesses. In 2006, 30 youth under 18 died from work-related injuries. In 2006, an estimated 52,600 work-related injuries and illnesses among youth 15 to 17 years of age were treated in hospital emergency departments. Only one-third of work-related injuries are seen in emergency departments, therefore it is likely that approximately 157,000 youth sustain work-related injuries and illnesses each year. The U.S. Public Health Service has a Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce youth emergency department injury rates to 3.4 injuries/100 full-time equivalents by 2010. The rate in 2006 was 4.2 injuries/100 full-time equivalents.

NIOSHTIC-2 Search

NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Young Worker Safety and Health
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

Reports/Publications Focused on Young Workers

Youth@Work: Talking Safety Curriculum
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-136
Curriculum in occupational safety and health that can be used in classroom or other group training settings. The curriculum has been customized for each state and Puerto-Rico to address state-specific rules and regulations, and includes instructions for teachers and a step-by-step guide for presenting the material.

Can You Dig It? A Safety & Health Guide for Young Workers in Landscaping, Greenhouses & Nurseries
 1800 KB (2 pages)
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/can-u-digit.pdf
en Espanol
This pamphlet developed by several federal and state agencies is targeted to workers less than 24 years of age and provides information on relevant age restrictions in federal child labor laws, safety and health hazards associated with this work, employee rights, and contact information for relevant federal agencies.

Injuries to Youth on U.S. Farm Operations, 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-161
This pamphlet describes risks for children who live and work on farms, and provides recommendations for preventing childhood farm injuries.

Injuries to Youth on Hispanic Farm Operations, 2003
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-162
This pamphlet describes risks for children who live and work on farms operated by Hispanic farmers, and provides recommendations for preventing childhood farm injuries.

Injuries to Youth on Racial Minority Farm Operations, 2003
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-163
This pamphlet describes risks for children who live and work on farms operated by racial minority farmers, and provides recommendations for preventing childhood farm injuries.

Reduce Injuries and Fatalities to Working Youth
NIOSH Traumatic Injury Program Evidence Package, Chapter 5, Goal 8
Section in the NIOSH Traumatic Injury Research and Prevention Program Evidence Package reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences that describes NIOSH efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities to working youth, and an assessment of the impact of these efforts. Full Traumatic Injury Evidence Package

Child Labor
NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program Evidence Package, Chapter 4, Goal 2, Section 4.1
Section in the NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program Evidence Package reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences that describes NIOSH efforts to reduce childhood farm injuries, and an assessment of the impact of these efforts. Full Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Evidence Package

School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-107
This document attempts to provide teachers, and ultimately their students, with information so that they can take the appropriate precautionary actions in order to prevent or minimize hazards, harmful exposures, and injuries in the laboratory.

Reports and publications specific to agriculture. NIOSH web page with links to NIOSH reports and publications on young worker injuries and illnesses in the agricultural sector.

Global Occupational Health Network Newsletter on Child Labour & Adolescent Workers:
 352 KB (16 pages)
External Link: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/newsletter/Gohnet9eng.pdf
Includes a number of articles on international child labour and efforts to improve the safety and health of child laborers worldwide, including an article by NIOSH researchers on efforts to develop curricula to promote young worker safety and health.

Working Together for Safety — A State Team Approach to Preventing Occupational Injuries in Young People
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-134 (May 2005)
Contains two case studies that demonstrate the value of the State team approach to fostering safe and healthful youth employment, and also describes the experiences and activities of State teams in the Northeast; the products developed by the teams, and key resources for other States interested in creating their own State teams.

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses of Young Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-128 (July 2003)
en Espanol
Provides case reports and examples of risks young workers may face while on the job and recommendations for prevention.

NIOSH Safety Checklist Program For Schools
en Espanol
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-101 (October 2003)
In one easy-to-read source, the Safety Checklist Program provides information needed by schools to maintain safe classrooms, shops, and labs for teachers and students in career-technical education. This information can also be used by colleges and universities with occupational safety and health programs.

Safe Work For Youth In Construction - Information For Employers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-113 (December 2003)
en Espanol
This pamphlet describes risks for young workers doing construction work and provides recommendations to construction employers on how to prevent young worker injuries and deaths.

Preventing Work-Related Burn Injury to Youth Working in Fast Food Restaurants--Fact Sheet  77 KB (1 page)
This fact sheet describes risks for burns to young workers in fast food restaurants and provides recommendations for burn prevention.

NIOSH Recommendations to the U.S. Department of Labor for Changes to Hazardous Orders (May 2002)
The U.S. Department of Labor, NIOSH and others have identified the need to assess the adequacy of existing HOs to protect working youth. NIOSH developed a report based on a review of data and the scientific literature.

Safe Jobs for Youth (May 2001)
This document describes information disseminated by NIOSH in May 2001 to high school principals across the United States.  The purpose of the mailing was to inform high schools and students about potential hazards of summer employment and steps students could take to stay safe.

Promoting Safe Work for Young Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-141 (November 1999)
This guide is for anyone interested in young workers safety and health issues. It is based on the experiences of three NIOSH-funded community-based young worker projects.

Protecting Youth at Work: Health, Safety, and Development of Working Children and Adolescents in the United States (1998)
External Link: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6019
A book available for free online reading.This book provides historical perspective on working children and adolescents in America and explores the framework of child labor laws that govern that work. The committee presents a wide range of data and analysis on the scope of youth employment, factors that put children and adolescents at risk in the workplace, and the positive and negative effects of employment, including data on educational attainment and lifestyle choices.

Child Labor Research Needs - Recommendations from the NIOSH Child Labor Working Team: Special Hazard Review
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-143 (August 1997)
Information about youth employment, occupational injury and illness in young workers, Federal and State regulation of child labor, and national objectives for the occupational safety and health of youths.

Are You A Working Teen? What You Should Know About Safety and Health On the Job - FACTS
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-132 (1997)
en Espanol
Document targeted to teen workers that answers questions about teen worker rights, hazard recognition, as well as regulations on the hours teens are permitted to work by law.

Control of Scrap Paper Baler Crushing Hazards: Hazard Control 14
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-113 (1997)
A Hazard Control detailing an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding 16 and 17 year old workers and the operation and maintenance of paper balers. The ANSI Standard for "Baling Equipment - Safety Requirements" is also summarized.

Childhood Work-Related Agricultural Fatalities--Minnesota, 1994-1997.
MMWR April 3, 1999/48(16);332-5. Journal article published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a weekly publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Youth Agricultural Work-Related Injuries Treated in Emergency Departments--United States, October 1995-September 1997. MMWR September 11,1998/47(35);733-7. Journal article published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a weekly publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Associated with Child Labor--United States, 1993.
MMWR June 7, 1996/45(22);464-8. Journal article published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a weekly publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other Relevant Publications

Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses --- United States, 2004
MMWR April 27, 2007/56(16);393-397

Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Mobile Crane Tip-Over, Boom Collapse, and Uncontrolled Hoisted Loads
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-142 (September 2006)

Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Among Workers Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments --- United States, 2003
MMWR April 28, 2006/55(16); 449-452

Data On Young Worker Injuries And Illnesses In Worker Health Chartbook, 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-146, pp. 266-276
This section of the NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook describes data sources and includes downloadable charts with national data on fatal injuries, nonfatal injuries and illnesses, and data from a Massachusetts (SENSOR) case-based reporting system of work-related injuries to adolescents.

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Falls of Workers Through Skylights and Roof and Floor Openings
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-156 (August 2004)
en Espanol

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries While Compacting or Baling Refuse Material
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-124 (July 2003)
en Espanol

Work-Related Roadway Crashes - Challenges and Opportunities For Prevention
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-119 (September 2003)

NIOSH Alert: Preventing Injuries and Deaths From Falls During Construction and Maintenance of Telecommunication Towers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-156
en Espanol

Fatal Injuries To Civilian Workers in the United States, 1980-1995: National and State Profiles
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-129S

Tracking Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Hazards: The NIOSH Surveillance Strategic Plan
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-118 (January 2001)

Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments - United States, 1998. MMWR April 27, 2001/50(16);313-7.

Surveillance for Nonfatal Occupational Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments - United States, 1996. MMWR April 24, 1998/47(15);302-6.

Press Releases

Federal Agencies Launch Effort to Help Teen Workers Stay Safe and Healthy on the Job this Winter (December 2004)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=News_Releases&p_id=11149
OSHA press release announcing a collaborative effort of numerous federal agencies including NIOSH (Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health) to raise awareness of young worker safety in winter jobs.

Federal Agencies Launch Effort to Help Teen Workers Stay Safe and Healthy on the Job This Summer (May 2004)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=news_releases&p_id=10849
OSHA press release announcing a collaborative effort of numerous federal agencies including NIOSH (Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health) to raise awareness of young worker safety in summer jobs.

Forklift Operations by Young Workers Subject of Safety Initiative (February 2004)
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=news_releases&p_id=10665
OSHA press release describing joint effort with NIOSH to raise awareness of hazards of youth operating forklifts.

Preventing Teen Worker Deaths, Injuries: NIOSH Issues New, Expanded Bulletin (August 2003)
A NIOSH Update announcing the availability of NIOSH Alert” Preventing Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses of Young Workers” which updated and expanded upon a1995 NIOSH Alert.

Teens Face Serious Risk of Job-Related Death in Agricultural Operations, NIOSH Finds (September 2002)
A NIOSH Update announcing new data demonstrating that fatality rates for youth in agriculture were more than twice the overall rate for occupational injury fatalities in the U.S.

NIOSH Issues Farm Youth Death, Injury Data, Introduces Web Information Resource
(September 2001)
A NIOSH Update announcing the availability of new data on childhood agricultural injuries.

Teen Worker Fatalities in Diverse Industries Show Importance of Injury Prevention Efforts
(June 26, 2000)
A NIOSH Update encouraging efforts to improve young worker safety prior to youth employment increasing with summer vacation. The Update included 6 case reports highlighting diverse circumstances in which youth were fatally injured at work.

Most Teen Worker Injuries in Restaurants Occur in Fast Food, NIOSH Study Finds
(December 1999)
A NIOSH Update announcing new findings on teen injuries in fast food restaurants.

Applications for Research to Protect Workers Under 18 From Construction Injury, Death, Sought by NIOSH (April 1999)
Announcement of funding for new research to prevent injury and death to workers less than 18 years of age in the construction industry.

Safety, Health Precautions for Young Workers Highlighted in NIOSH Poster to Schools
(June 1998)
A NIOSH update announcing a poster and other information emphasizing safety and health at work for students under 18 years of age.

Job Death Rates for 16-, 17-Year-Olds Comparable to or Higher Than Adult Rates for Leading Causes, NIOSH Finds - Update ( December 1997)
A NIOSH update describing a 1997 study examining the three leading categories of work-related fatalities among 16 and 17 years olds.

NIOSH Highlights Young Worker Injury Prevention as Summer Employment Season Nears - NIOSH Update (June 1997)
A NIOSH Update describing NIOSH distribution of young worker injury prevention information prior to the summer youth employment season.

NIOSH Launches National Research Program to Protect Children on Farms From Injury, Death (April 21, 1997)
HHS press release announcing the launch of a national research program designed to protect children on farms from illness, injury, and death.

NIOSH Study Finds Work Injuries, Illnesses Among Young Employees Pervasive, Preventable - NIOSH Update (June 1996)
NIOSH Update announcing new findings on the high incidence of young worker injuries and illnesses based on data reported by employers.

NIOSH Warns: Employment May Be Hazardous for Adolescent Workers - NIOSH Update
(July 17, 1995)
NIOSH Update summarizing data on young worker injuries and illnesses, and providing recommendations for prevention measures that could be taken by employers, parents, educators and youths.

NIOSH Warns: Employment Can Be Dangerous and Deadly for Adolescents - NIOSH Update
(May 19, 1994)
NIOSH Update announcing new findings on the incidence of young worker injuries and illnesses based on analysis of data from emergency departments and death certificates.

Overview of NIOSH Research on Young Worker Safety and Health

NIOSH has played a lead role in efforts to reduce injuries and illnesses among working youth (less than 18 years of age) by conducting and supporting science to guide prevention efforts, disseminating findings, and working with others in collaborative outreach. Below are examples of current NIOSH research on young worker safety and health:

• Collects and disseminates previously unavailable national and regional data on childhood agricultural injuries and supports extramural research to advance knowledge about the causes and prevention of childhood agricultural injuries. More information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/childag/
  
• Funds the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health to translate scientific findings into lay terms and facilitate injury and fatality prevention across the U.S. More information can be found at http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs/default.aspx?page=nccrahs_about_us
  
• In cooperation with partners, developed and pilot tested core occupational safety and health curricula that can be used in classroom or other group training settings. The curricula was found to be effective in teaching students basic information to keep them safe and healthy on the job. The curriculum has been customized for each state and Puerto-Rico to address state-specific rules and regulations and is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/
  
• Participates in the Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health, comprised of more than 30 participants representing 10 federal agencies, to foster collaborative efforts to improve safety and health of workers age 14 through 24. More information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fedNet/
  
• Internationally, NIOSH has provided technical assistance to the International Labour Organization and World Health Organization in their efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor and is contributing several research projects to the five-year work plan of the WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centers in occupational health. More information can be found at http://www.who.int/occupational_health/

Information on NIOSH Research in Young Worker Safety and Health is also included in a NIOSH “Program in brief” on Health and Safety of Young and Aging Workers:  178 KB (1 page)

Related Web Sites

OSHA's Teen Workers
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/index.html
An information resource for teens, educators, parents, and employers on young worker issues.

Youth Rules!
External Link: http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/
This site provides information about the regulations that affect young workers in the U.S.

Youth@Work
External Link: http://youth.eeoc.gov/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission web site with information for youth about their rights and responsibilities as workers.

California Resource Network for Young Worker Health and Safety
External Link: http://www.youngworkers.org/
Includes useful resources and descriptions of young worker safety activities in California, and a link to the National Young Workers Resource Center that provides training and technical assistance to state and community teams working to improve young worker safety.

The Child Labor Coalition
External Link: http://www.stopchildlabor.org/
Information for teen workers as well as advocacy information about U.S. and international child/youth labor.

National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety
External Link: http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/NCCRAHS/
This Center funded by NIOSH and the Federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau strives to enhance the health and safety of all children exposed to hazards associated with agricultural work and rural environments.

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids
External Link: http://www.fs4jk.org/
Farm safety information.

Interstate Labor Standards Association (ILSA)
External Link: http://www.ilsa.net/
Includes information on state agencies that administer and enforce child labor laws.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Surveillance Program
External Link: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=
Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Workplace+Health+and+Safety&L4=Work-related+Injuries+
to+Workers+Under+Age+18&sid=Eeohhs2
Contains information on teen work injury surveillance in Massachusetts, data reports, publications and educational materials.

Labor Occupational Health Program, University of California-Berkeley
External Link: http://www.lohp.org/
Contains a variety of resources on young worker safety and health, including information on a poster contest, youth academies, and educational materials.

UCLA-Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH)
External Link: http://www.losh.ucla.edu/youth/index.html
Provides information on UCLA-Labor Occupational and Health programs aimed at improving young worker safety and health, including a Young Worker Leadership Academy, Peer Education, Presentations, and a Professional Development workshop.

Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health
The Federal Network for Young Worker Safety and Health (FedNet), comprised of more than 30 participants representing 9 federal agencies, seeks to foster collaborative efforts to improve safety and health of workers 14 to 24 years of age. The web site describes the goal and mission of FedNet and provides links to relevant information from federal agencies represented on this group.

CDC Adolescent Health Webpage
CDC Webpage with information on a variety of adolescent health issues.

WorkSafe BC, Safety at Work
External Link: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/YoungWorker/Home.asp
Contains a variety of resources for preventing young worker injuries.

Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST): Opération JeuneSST
External Link: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/nouveautes-jeunesst.html
Information and research on young worker safety.

WHO- Hazardous Child Labor
External Link: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/childlabour/en/
World Health Organization information on dangerous forms of child labour.

ILO International Program to Eliminate Child Labour
External Link: http://www.ilo.org/ipec/lang--en/index.htm
Description of the International Labour Organization’s efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.

Quebec Protocol
External Link: http://education.prevention.issa.int/product/publication.htm
Includes the Quebec City Protocol for the integration of occupational health and safety competencies into vocational and technical education. This protocol was collaboratively developed by numerous international governmental agencies, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States.