Safety and labor laws Workplace Skills

Teens are injured at a much higher rate than adults even though they are restricted from the most dangerous jobs! Work environments where teens are most typically employed like retail, restaurants, and grocery stores report the most work related injuries! Choose sensible safe behaviors at work. Why teach safety laws?

As you watch these slides, list the abuses and unacceptable conditions you see children in the United States working in.

Shrimp pickers, including an 8 year old boy on the right. Shrimp pickers, including little 8 year old Max on the right. Biloxi, Miss. Shrimp Cannery Biloxi, Miss., c.1908. Shrimp pickers, including an 8 year old boy on the right.

9:00 p.m. at an Indiana glass works, c.1908. 9 p.m. in an Indiana Glass Works. 9:00 p.m. at an Indiana glass works, c.1908.

Rob Kidd, one of the young workers in a glass factory. Alexandria, Va. One of the young workers in a glass factory in Alexandria, Va., c.1908.

Sardine Cannery, Eastport, Maine, c.1908. Cutting fish in a sardine cannery. Large sharp knives are used with a cutting and sometimes chopping motion. The slippery floors and benches and careless bumping into each other increase the liability of accidents. "The salt water gets into the cuts and they ache," said one boy. Cutting fish in a sardine cannery. Large sharp knives are used with a cutting and sometimes chopping motion. The slippery floors and benches and careless bumping into each other increase the liability of accidents. "The salt water gits into the cuts and they ache," said one boy. Eastport, Me. Sardine Cannery, Eastport, Maine, c.1908.

Young boys working for Hickok Lumber Co. Burlington, Vt., c.1908.

A general view of spinning room, Cornell Mill. Fall River, Mass. A general view of spinning room, Cornell Mill, Fall River, Mass., c.1908.

Rhodes Manufacturing Company Lincolnton, N.C., c.1908. A moment’s glimpse of the outer world. Said she was 11 years old. Been working over a year. A moments glimpse of the outer world. Said she was 11 years old. Been working over a year. Rhodes Mfg. Co. Lincolnton, N.C.

Bibb Mill No. 1. Macon, Ga., c. 1908. Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins. Bibb Mill No. 1. Macon, Ga. Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins.

The overseer said apologetically, "She just happened in The overseer said apologetically, "She just happened in." She was working steadily. The mills seem full of youngsters who "just happened in" or "are helping sister." Newberry, S.C. The overseer said apologetically, "She just happened in." She was working steadily. The mills seem full of youngsters who "just happened in" or "are helping sister.” Newberry, S.C., c.1908.

Coal Mine S. Pittston, Pa., c.1908. At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded like this. The small boy in front is Jo Puma. S. Pittston, Pa. At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded like this. A small boy is in front.

View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Company View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa., c.1908. View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pa. Coal Co. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa.

Three young boys with shovels standing in doorway of a Fort Worth & Denver train car. Three young boys with shovels standing in doorway of a Fort Worth & Denver train car, c. 1908.

Camille Carmo, age 7, and Justine, age 9 Camille Carmo, age 7, and Justine, age 9. The older girl picks about 4 pails a day. Rochester, Mass. Rochester, Mass., c.1908. Two girls, ages 7 and 9, pick berries. The older girl picks about 4 pails a day.

Six year old harvesting spinach in Texas. (May, 1998) Six year old harvesting cucumbers in Texas, USA (May, 1998). Photographer: L. Diane Mull Photo: © L. Diane Mull

1997 photo of child harvesting cucumbers in Maryland, USA. Recent photo of child harvesting cucumbers in Maryland, USA. Photographer: Phillip Decker Photo: © Phillip Decker

Children processing cherries in Montana, USA (August 1997). Photographer: L. Diane Mull Photo: © L. Diane Mull

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