Typically, we associate accidents and injuries in the workplace with the older workforce. However, according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), workers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be injured on the job as older workers, and are often unaware of their workplace rights. In 2012, more than 170,000 young workers were injured and 361 were killed. OSHA created its Young Workers Page to help reduce these numbers by providing tailored information and resources on workers’ rights. Due to these disturbing statistics, OSHA has developed a young worker page which includes detailed information on hazards that are common in positions that teen workers are likely to hold, such as those in retail and food service. With proper education, training and protections in place, many of these young worker injuries and deaths are preventable. Both employers and young workers should review this Young Workers Page to understand their roles and what actions they can take to ensure a safe and rewarding work experience.
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