OSHA summer focus is on teen job safety

As millions of American teens begin their summer jobs, OSHA is focusing on keeping these vulnerable workers safe and healthy. While teen workers earn extra money and gain valuable work experience, the risk of a serious or even fatal injury is present.

To address this challenge, OSHA recently kicked-off its Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign that will focus on industries that young people are likely to work in during high school or college. “Summer is peak time for teen employment,” said OSHA administrator Ed Foulke. “Every year, young people join the U.S. workforce for the first time. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to succeed can put them at risk of workplace injury. We do not want to tell them to be afraid, but we do want them to be cautious. That is why we are working to help educate teens on workplace dangers and offer solid safety tips that will help them stay safe and healthy on the job.”

Approximately 80% of U.S. teens work annually at some time during their high school years, many during the summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2004, 134 teens were killed at work and another 38,000 were injured on the job.

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