Teen Worker Fatalities Show Importance of Injury Prevention

June 30, 2000
To prevent death and serious injury to teen workers, NIOSH\r\nrecommends that employers know the laws covering child labor and\r\nsafety.

As the summer employment season begins for adolescents, findings from six recent fatality reports by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) illustrate the need for vigilance and action to protect teen workers from job-related injury and death.

The NIOSH fatality reports describe six adolescent worker fatalities in diverse industries, including:

  • A 16-year-old farmworker who died in a cotton-packing machine after being covered by a 3,500-pound load of cotton.
  • A 16-year-old amusement-park attendant who died after being caught and dragged across a concrete floor by an operating amusement ride.
  • A 15-year-old campground laborer who died after striking a trailer hitch on a camper while operating a utility vehicle in morning clean-up duties.
  • Two 17-year-old construction laborers who died in separate incidents when the sides of trenches collapsed on them.
  • A 16-year-old warehouse laborer who died after falling from and being caught under an overturning forklift.

"These tragedies underscore the fact that common occupations can be extremely hazardous for adolescent workers," said NIOSH Director Linda Rosenstock. "This year, we are pleased to participate again In with the U.S. Department of Labor in the annual ''Work Safe This Summer'' campaign to provide our many partners with information and recommendations for protecting young workers from injury and death on the job."

Each year, between 60 and 70 adolescents die from work-related injuries, hundreds more are hospitalized, and tens of thousands require treatment in hospital emergency rooms.

To prevent death and serious injury to teen workers, NIOSH recommends that employers know the laws covering child labor and safety, and that they provide safe employment and adequate supervision.

Available from NIOSH are informational materials designed specifically for teen workers, including a special poster for students under 18 that emphasizes occupational safety and health, and "Are You a Working Teen?," a brochure that provides additional information on the topic.

Visit the NIOSH Web site for more information at www.cdc.gov/niosh.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!