Young Worker InitiativeYoung Worker Initiative

U.S. Department of Labor - OSHADirectorate of Science, Technology & Medicine200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room N- 3653Washington, D.C. 20210

Ruth McCully

DirectorDirectorate of Science,Technology & Medicine

Objectives• Why OSHA is focusing on

young workers• What has been done• What lies ahead• OSHA & Projects working

together for Young Worker

Why a focus on Young Workers?

• In the coming decades, expect to see greater percentage of young and older workers– NIOSH reports 80% of young people are

employed before they leave school• Despite child labor laws that prohibit

teenagers from engaging in the most dangerous occupations, young people have a higher rate of injury per hour worked than adults

Demographics• 50% of 15-17 year olds are employed

each year• 80% of students work at some time

during their high school years• 62% of young people aged 15 – 17 were

employed in retail trades (1996-1998) with greatest number in food service

• 8% of male and 2% of female youths were employed in agriculture

Unique Risks• Young workers under 18 face unique

health & safety risks on the job:– Low levels of experience– Limited S&H training– Lack of supervision– Physical & psycho-social developmental

factors:– Young workers may have increased

susceptibilities to chemical exposure

The Problem• Each year in the US:

– 60-70 adolescents die from work related injuries– Estimated 200,000 young workers seek

emergency medical treatment• Non-fatal occupational injuries for workers

under 18 are more frequent than for adults– Burns & lacerations are most common injuries

• Overall fatality rate is similar to adults even though law does not allow them to work in more hazardous occupations– Risk of a youth dying while doing construction

work is twice the risk to adults

What’s Been Done• NIOSH funded 3 pilot projects

– They developed:• Curricula for high school students• Materials for employers & parents• Strategies for providing effective training• Approaches to increase awareness of

occupational S&H among young people– Demonstrated importance of bring

stakeholders together at local level to develop & implement prevention strategies

OSHA Strategic Focus• Compliance Assistance focused rather than

enforcement• Built around Institute of Medicine report

recommendations– Stimulating creation of age-appropriate course materials– Developing programs to train-the-trainers who work with

youth– Recognizing commendable workplaces

• DSTM’s Office of Occupational Health Nursing is leading OSHA’s effort

Elise Handelman 202-693-2120handelman.elise@dol.gov

OSHA Activities• Teen Worker Page• Skills USA• Federal Network for Young Worker

Safety & Health (FedNet)– Forklift Working Group– Seasonal Campaign for Young Worker

Safety

Teen Worker Page

Jose's Story: Crushed and Died While Cleaning a Dough Mixing Machine

Jose, a 15-year-old pizzeria worker was killed when he became entangled in a machine used to mix pizza dough. Jose had arrived in the United States from Guatemala one month before the incident and had been working at the family-owned pizza restaurant for only two weeks. 

On the night of the incident, he was cleaning the pizza dough mixer as the restaurant was closing for the evening, working alone in the kitchen as the remaining staff cleaned the adjoining dining room. He apparently lifted the cover of the mixer, uncovering the 32-inch-diameter mixing bowl, and started the machine. Reaching into the bowl he was caught by a large mixing fork. His co-workers heard him scream, but were unable to reach him in time. 

Skills USA• Vocational & Industrial Clubs of America• Brings together 4000 students • June in Kansas City• John Henshaw will be speaker this year• OSHA Booth – Your assistance welcomed

– Very Interactive– Games & Contests

The Federal Network for Young Worker Safety &

Health “FedNet”

Fork Lift Outreach• In response to 2 teenage fatalities• Tri-agency Outreach• Packets include:

– Cover letter signed by directors of 3 Agencies– Press Release– SHIB– NIOSH Background Document on Teen Worker

Fatalities– ESA Forklift Hazard Sticker

• Distributed over 3500 packets to date including copies to all Consultation Projects

• Also available via WWW.OSHA.GOV under powered industrial trucks

Teen Summer Outdoor Jobs: $afety Pays

• Electronic Outreach Initiative deployed in mid-April

• Strong language about prohibitions on teenagers in hazardous jobs

• News Release with distribution to:– OSHA family including Consultation Projects– ETA Business Relations Group– Youth Program Operators– State & Local Workforce Investment managers– National Youth Organizations

What’s on the Horizon• Seasonal Campaign for winter jobs• Expanding FedNet participation• Soliciting materials for Teen Worker Pages• Engaging Alliance partners in issues related to youth• Participating in other Federal groups to reach other

teen worker populations – like agriculture initiative in NIOSH

• Working with NIOSH & ESA to develop joint MOU to notify each other when teen fatality occurs

• Looking for sources of information on measuring effectiveness

OSHA Can Provide:• Materials and information about

young worker S&H• Coordination with other Federal

Agencies and alliance partners

OSHA Looks to Projects for Support on Young Workers

• To deliver the message about young workers especially to small business

• For input on teen worker pages, both feedback and content.

• Ideas for how to reach parents, young workers, their employers, and others who have a role in young people’s lives including educators and faith-based organizations.

OSHA depends on Consultation Projects and other local arms of OSHA:

Questions?Comments?