Agricultural Hazards:
Agriculture is the most dangerous industry for young
workers. [Preventing Deaths, Injuries, and Illnesses of Young Workers.
National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Alert,
(2003, July)].
- 42% of the young workers killed from 1992-2000, lost their lives in farming jobs. A third of these accidents involved
tractors.
- More than half of these fatalities occurred on farms owned by the victims' families.
For additional information on work hazards and safety solutions in agriculture
see:
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Agricultural Jobs |
Potential Hazards |
Farming jobs
If you are under 16 years of age, Child Labor Laws
forbid you from operating certain equipment, including tractors;
state laws may be even more stringent.
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- Heavy machinery (Tractors)
- Unprotected heights (Falls)
- Falling or flying objects
- Natural hazards
- Electrocution
- Organic dust
- Confined spaces
- Chemicals
- Noise
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Non-Agricultural Hazards: In non-agricultural trades retail has the highest number of workplace fatalities
among young workers. Between 1992 and 2000, 63% of these deaths were due to assaults and violent acts.
[Preventing Deaths, Injuries, and Illnesses of Young Workers.
National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Alert,
(2003, July)]. |
Non-Agricultural Jobs |
Potential Hazards
Real Stories
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Food service/ fast food
For additional information on work hazards and solutions in restaurants work,
see
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Retail
stores/grocery stores
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
homicide
was the leading cause of death among youths in retail trade,
accounting for nearly two-thirds of the youth fatalities in
the industry.
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- Violent crimes
- Heavy lifting
- Box crushers
|
Janitorial/clean-up/
maintenance work
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Office/Clerical
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- Repetitive trauma (Typing)
- Back and neck strain
- Stress
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Industry
If you are under
18 years of age, you are not allowed to operate power-driven
machines, including:
- power-driven meat slicers and meat grinders;
- forklifts;
- paper balers and cardboard compactors;
- power-driven bakery equipment, including mixers;
- power-driven woodworking equipment, including chain saws and circular
saws.
Protecting
Young Workers: Prohibition against Young Workers Operating
Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Bulletin (SHIB), (2003, September
23). Also available as a 109 KB PDF,
4 pages.
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Construction Work
-
If you are under 16 years of age, you are not allowed to
work on construction sites by law.
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Outdoor Work
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