OSHA's Young Worker Initiative Tom Bosley OSHA - State Programs Manager/ Outreach Coordinator - Region IV (404)

The OSH Act of 1970 Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's promotes workplace safety by setting standards Enforcement Inspections Providing safety and health training Conducting outreach and compliance assistance activities

Injury and Illness Rates Since OSHA’s creation occupational injury and illness rates have dropped 60 percent Since 1992 workplace fatality rates have fallen 20 percent U.S. employment is now nearly 115 million employees at over 8 million sites

Teen Workers in Construction The construction industry, which employs less than 3% of all young workers, ranks 3rd in the number of work- related fatalities to youth — at 14% of all occupational deaths to youth under 18 According to a recent study (Pediatrics’ March 2007) teen workers, stated that they performed risky tasks and worked late and longer hours than permitted by federal laws Fifty-two percent of boys and 43 percent of girls responded that they had used dangerous equipment (i.e. box crushers) Every year 70 teens die and hundreds of thousands suffer injury

Teen Workers in Construction Youth can be an asset to the workforce - They are enthusiastic and eager to learn - However, they need adequate appropriate safety training and supervision Young workers get hurt when: They take on jobs for which they're not trained — sometimes without being asked They don't have appropriate supervision They work with dangerous tools or equipment They perform tasks that violate youth employment laws

OSHA’s Cooperative Efforts Teen Worker Summer Safety Campaign OSHA’s Alliance Program –National Alliances –Regional and Local Alliances Additional OSHA Resources

Teen Worker Summer Safety Campaign OSHA's Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign Each year, about 6 million young people, age 16-19, join the workforce by taking summer jobs (landscaping, construction and food preparation) This campaign reminds employers of their responsibility to provide a safe and healthful environment for all employees, especially youth workers

OSHA National Alliances The Alliance Program enables OSHA to leverage its resources by working with groups committed to safety and health (i.e. businesses, trade or professional organizations, unions and educational institutions) National Alliances focused on youth include – American Red Cross, ASSE, Club Managers Assoc. of America, Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair, NIOSH, NSC, Professional Landcare Network and SkillsUSA

Region IV Local Youth Alliances Region IV – AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC & TN Alabama Youth Alliance - 4/al_youth_final.html 4/al_youth_final.html Georgia Youth Alliance – 4/ga_doe_final.html 4/ga_doe_final.html ASSE-Palm Beach School Board Alliance (Pending)

Region IV Local Youth Alliances Alabama participants include OSHA, ASSE, AL-DOE, SafeState Consultation, AL- Rural Electric Assoc., and AL-AGC Georgia participants include OSHA, GA Tech Consultation, GA-DOE, GA Tech OSHA Ed Center, CEFGA, ASSE, and AIHA (with contributions by US DOL- WHD)

Region IV Local Youth Alliances Georgia OSHA 10-Hour Training – FY 07 Maxwell High School McEachem High School Dekalb Tech–North High School Fulton-Atlanta YouthBuild Alabama OSHA 10-Hour Training-FY 07 Instructors trained during Annual Educator’s Conf. in Huntsville, AL

Region IV Local Youth Alliances Georgia OSHA 10-Hour Training – FY 08 Maxwell High School Fulton-Atlanta YouthBuild Adairsville High School McEachem High School Dekalb Tech–North High School Kell High School (OSHA 10-hour for General Industry)

Additional OSHA Resources Safety and Health Topics Page - Restaurant Safety for Teen Workers - tions.html tions.html OSHA Publications and Posters -OSHA Fact Sheet - orkers.html orkers.html

Additional Resources More Resources Available For additional information on young workers and the landscaping industry, visit the following links on the World Wide Web: Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign Teen Workers Web page U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration's YouthRules! Web page National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic: Young Worker Safety and Health Safety and Health Information Bulletin Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts Safety and Health Topics Page on Landscape and Horticultural Services

Visit Web to Learn More Additional Alliance Program information is available at -

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