Transcript Young Worker Health and Safety

Keeping Teens Safe at Work
Beatriz Vautin, MPH
Teens at Work Project
Occupational Health Surveillance Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Funded in part by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Background data
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An estimated 160,000 teens in the US are injured
at work every year
66,000 teens are injured seriously enough to visit
the emergency room every year
Over 50 teens are killed on the job every year
Teens have high overall rate of non-fatal injuries
compared to adults: good data are not available
on rates for youth vs adults in specific jobs
Risk Factors for Young Workers
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Job hazards
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Inexperience
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Inadequate training and supervision
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Employment in inappropriate/illegal jobs
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Development characteristics (not just little adults)
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Physical
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Psychosocial
Balancing school and work
Work-related Injuries to Young Workers by Age,
Gender, and Data Source
Age - Years
Fe
m
al
es
es
M
al
17
16
ED Data (n=778)
WC Data (n=1124)
15
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
14
Percent
Massachusetts: 2002-2006
Gender
Work-related Injuries to Young Workers by Injury
Type and Data Source
Massachusetts: 2002-2006
70
60
ED Data (n=778)
WC Data (n=1124)
Percent
50
40
30
20
10
0
sprains,
strains, tears
cuts,
lacerations,
punctures
bruises
contusions,
crushings
burns
Injury Type
fractures
other
Occupational Injuries to Young Workers by
Selected Industry, Massachusetts: 2002-2006
Other
24%
Food Services
29%
Construction
6%
Health Care
12%
Retail
29%
Interviews with Teens Injured at Work
Massachusetts: July 1994-2003
60
798 Interviews
51
Percent
50
40
33
30
20
15
17
No supervisor
on site
Permanent
effects*
10
0
No safety
training
No work permit
* Anticipated permanent pain, limited sensation or loss of movement.
Narrative Results
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10% reported that the equipment being used was malfunctioning or a
safety device had been removed.
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9% appeared to be performing a task or working hours prohibited under
the child labor laws.
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“I was using the deli slicer to cut up lettuce.”
“I was working at 2:30 a.m. at a retail bakery.”
10% waited a day or more before seeking medical treatment.
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“The french fryer was low in oil partly because it hadn’t been working properly.
We had notified the owner and manager but nothing had been done about it.”
“When I woke up in the a.m., my hand was swollen and red and purple, so I
went to the ER where I was diagnosed with second degree burns.”
4% of adolescents reported that their supervisors made them stay at work.
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“Then I went to the supervisor who did not want to fill out an accident report
and told me to work light duty. I worked 2 shifts that day while my finger kept
bleeding.”
Connecting Activities
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What can teachers use to teach health
and safety to teens?
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What resources are available to help
with the Work-Based Learning Plan?
Materials
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
www.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
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Youth @ Work: Talking Safety Massachusetts
www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/ma
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NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/default.html
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YouthRules! Factsheets
www.youthrules.dol.gov/factsheets.htm
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Some materials available from the MDPH
Teens at Work: Injury Surveillance and Prevention Project
Materials
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
www.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
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Youth @ Work: Talking Safety Massachusetts
www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/states/ma
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NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/default.html
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YouthRules! Factsheets
www.youthrules.dol.gov/factsheets.htm
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Materials Continued
NJ Safe Schools Health and Safety Check
www.njsafeschools.org/pub.html
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Inexperienced Workers Fact Sheet
www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/videoresource/stpinexp.pdf
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OSHA Restaurant eTool
www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/restaurant
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Massachusetts Resources
Office of the Attorney General
www.mass.gov/ago/youthemployment
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Labor Low Down
www.laborlowdown.com
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Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety
www.mass.gov/dos
*click on “youth employment information”
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National Resources
NIOSH Young Worker Health & Safety Website
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth
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US DOL YouthRules! Website
www.youthrules.dol.gov
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OSHA Teen Workers Website
www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers
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National Young Worker Safety Resource Center
www.youngworkers.org/nation
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Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia
www2.worksafebc.com/topics/youngworker/home.asp
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Teens at Work Injury Surveillance and
Prevention Project
www.mass.gov/dph/teensatwork
[email protected]
(617) 624-5677