Every year as summer approaches and kids join the work force, many for the first time, the National Consumer League (NCL) offers its updated list of the 5 most dangerous jobs for teens, along with excellent advice for parents and teens on keeping the work experience safe. In 2011, their picks for the most dangerous teen jobs are:
- Agriculture: Harvesting Crops and Using Machinery
- Construction and Height Work
- Traveling Youth Sales Crews
- Outside Helper: Landscaping, Groundskeeping, and Lawn Service
- Driver/Operator: Forklifts, Tractors, and ATV’s
The NCL notes that the five worst jobs for teens are not ranked in order. They earn their place on the list because they all share higher than normal injury or fatality rates. If you are an employer who hires teens, a parent with working age teens, or a teen workers, please take the time to look at the excellent report that the NCL has compiled.
We’ve compiled some additional resources for teen safety. While many are appropriate for all groups, we’ve sorted them by primary relevance for employers, teens, and parents.
Resources for employers
Employers need to take particular care with young workers. It’s in the teens best interest and it is in every employer’s best interests as well: According to HR Daily Advisor, “A recent DOL decision assessed penalties of over $277 thousand against movie theaters for employing youths in dangerous jobs and for working them illegally long hours. Have summer hiring plans? Better review youth hiring rules.” The site offers two tip sheets for employers:
Summer Hiring? Watch for Tricky Child Labor Laws and Summer Jobs for Kids–Many Restrictions on Duties and Hours
Interstate Labor Standards Association – an organization of state labor department officials. Find your state contacts and get information on Child Labor Laws.
5 Leadership Lessons: What You Need to Know about Developing Teen Leadership
OSHA: Young Workers: Employers
NIOSH: Young Worker Safety & Health
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries: Youth Job Safety Resources
National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety
Iowa: Iowa Safe Youth @ Work
DOL: Yout Rules: for Employers
For teen workers
American Society of Safety Engineers: Target Teen Safety Tool Kit, including the The ASSE Interactive Zombie Game
OSHA: Young Workers – site includes a variety of safety videos for teen workers, as well as resources
OSHA Young Worker Summer Job Safety
— Construction
—Farmwork
—Landscaping
—Lifeguarding
—Parks & Recreation
—Restaurants
—Safe Driving
DOL: Youth Rules: for Teens
Farm Safety 4 Just Kids
California: Young Workers
Canada: Passport to Safety
CCOHS: Young Workers Zone!
CDC: Are You a Working Teen? What you should know about safety and health on the job
CDC: ¿Eres un Joven que Trabaja? Cosas que Debes Saber sobre la Seguridad y la Salud en el Trabajo
Parents
KidsHealth: Making Sure Your Teen’s Job is Safe
DOL: Youth Rules: for Parents
OSHA: Young Workers – Parents
DOL: Youth & Labor