Holding a job can be an excellent way for a teenager or young adult to learn responsibility and gain valuable work experience. But did you know that younger workers have high rates of workplace injuries? If you’re the parent of a working teenager or young adult, it’s essential to recognize the risks they face on the job and to know how they can stand up for their rights.
Young Workers and Their Vulnerabilities
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there were over 19 million workers under 25 in 2022. Compared to employees of all ages, younger workers have high rates of on-the-job injuries and illnesses. The hazards for these workers are mainly present in industries such as retail, food service, and construction.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are many risk factors leading to sickness and injury among young workers, including
- Inadequate supervision
- Insufficient job and safety training
- Pressure to speed up work
- Unsafe or faulty equipment
- Demanding or high-pressure environments
- Work that’s illegal or too dangerous for employees under 18
Responsibilities of Employers
Some companies hire young workers without realizing the additional risks these individuals face. Furthermore, some employers who hire seasonal employees or workers through temp agencies may not think they’re obligated to provide safety training, believing that the temp agencies bear this responsibility. As a result, a teen or young adult with little or no training may incur an injury or even lose their life.
According to NIOSH, workers of all ages should understand that their employees are responsible for:
- Following the safety rules mandated by OSHA and complying with all federal and state child labor laws
- Ensuring all equipment is safe and legal to operate
- Indicating with labels which equipment young workers are not allowed to use
- Informing all workers of potential or known hazards in the workplace through training, signage, and other means
- Providing safety training in a language that workers can understand
- Telling employees what they should do if they get hurt or sick on the job
- Displaying the OSHA poster listing workers’ rights and responsibilities in a prominent place
- Not singling out or retaliating against an employee who exercises their rights listed on the OSHA poster
How to Help Your Child Stay Safe on the Job
If your teenager or young adult child has a job, modeling safe work behaviors can keep them safe and help them develop good work practices. To help your child stay safe at work, encourage them to do the following:
- Approach any job with safety in mind and understand that most work-related injuries are preventable.
- Take safety training seriously, and use employer-provided safety equipment and protective gear.
- Follow all safety instructions and protocols.
- Watch for signage or labeling that signals a hazard, such as a wet floor.
- Report problems like slippery floors, chemical exposures, faulty equipment, and other hazards to the supervisor.
- Ask questions when unsure how to perform a task or handle a hazard.
- Express concerns about performing a job that looks too unsafe or is illegal.
Most importantly, all employees—regardless of age—have the right to refuse to do work they feel is unsafe or illegal. If they tell you a coworker is coercing them to do something dangerous, advise them to talk to their supervisor. If the pressure comes from an immediate supervisor, they should go to human resources or upper management.
A Work Injury Attorney Can Help You Understand Your Rights
Being young or a student doesn’t make a person less deserving of the work-related legal protections afforded to all local employees. Speak to a lawyer at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, LPA, Co., to learn about your family’s rights. If your child was hurt on the job, your attorney can inform you of your options, and they’re experienced with helping clients file workers’ compensation claims.
Call our office at 513.721.6500 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment or get more information.