Occupational injury surveillance efforts indicate that each year in the US over 200,000 children under age 18 are injured at work and 70 are killed as the result of workplace accidents. This paper reports on a study undertaken in Lowell, Massachusetts on youth employment and occupational injuries to young workers that builds on this national data. The study is part of the Lowell Youth Employment Project begun in the Spring of 1999. The team conducted a survey of Lowell High School students in grades 9-11 who self identified as ever having worked (N=1447). Respondents ranged in age from 13-21 and were predominantly White (57%) or Asian (38%). We found that 41% of students had been injured at work at least once during their working lives. The most common injuries were lacerations, burns, and back injuries. 12% of injuries required medical attention and 17% resulted in one or more lost work or school days. 23% of respondents noticed hazards at work, 11% reported that they were asked do a dangerous task or to use unsafe equipment and 5% reported that they have quit job because they were afraid of getting hurt. The survey paid particular attention to assaults at work. Respondents reported physical attacks (11%), verbal threats (26%) and sexual harassment (10%). Customers were found to be the most common source of all assaults. In this paper, we report on these and other salient results of the survey and include a discussion of various intervention strategies for reducing work injuries to teens.
Learning Objectives: I do not believe that this applies to me. I am not running a session
Keywords: Youth at Work, Injuries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.