It may come as a surprise to many, but children in the United States make up a significant part of the workforce. While these young workers take on various roles to gain experience, earn money, and develop skills, they often lack proper supervision in their workplaces. As a result, injuries and fatalities among young employees are alarmingly frequent.
Alarming Rate of Workplace Accidents Among Youths
According to a study conducted by the Colorado School of Public Health, dozens of youths under the age of 20 die every year due to work-related incidents. In 2010 alone, 88 young workers lost their lives to such accidents, while 20,000 missed work in private industries due to work-related illnesses or injuries. The study’s lead author, Carol Runyan, Ph.D., a professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, asserts that child labor remains a significant issue in the United States.
The Need for Stricter Regulations
One of the reasons behind these appalling statistics is the often lenient nature of laws governing the employment of teenagers. In particular, the rules regarding the employment of youngsters aged 14 to 17 are quite lax, especially in the case of family farms, where regulations are almost non-existent. Runyan explains that while working can provide young people with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, inadequate safeguards can make the workplace hazardous.
High-Risk Jobs for Youths
Young workers face a variety of risks in their workplaces, depending on the specific industry and job. They can suffer burns in fast-food restaurants, cuts from sharp tools in grocery stores, or even robbery at retail establishments. Construction sites pose challenges as well, as young workers may fall from roofs or be involved in traffic collisions. Despite these risks, Runyan highlights farm work as one of the most dangerous occupations for young employees.
The Responsibility of Employers
Given the hazards, it’s vital to ensure that the jobs that young people take on are safe and properly supervised. Runyan emphasizes that while young employees may not fully understand or recognize the risks associated with their work, it’s ultimately the responsibility of the employers to guarantee their safety. Imposing stricter regulations and increasing employer accountability will help protect young workers and promote a safer working environment.
Additional Resources for Work Safety
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidelines and resources on workplace safety, which can be found at https://www.osha.gov/. They also run a Youth@Work initiative aimed at educating young workers on their rights and employers on their responsibilities (https://www.osha.gov/youngworkers/index.html)
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides resources to help create a safe working environment for young employees, available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/.
- The National Safety Council offers a comprehensive guide on managing young workers’ safety, which can be found at https://www.nsc.org/Portals/0/Documents/JSEWorkforceDocuments/Journey-to-Safety-Excellence-Managing-the-Safety-of-Young-Workers.pdf
