Occupational Injuries in Connecticuts Young Working Population Deborah A. Pease Occupational Health Program State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)

Introduction In the United States… An estimated 2.1 million adolescents years of age are employed NIOSH estimates that 200,000 teens aged are injured on the job every year teens die from work-related injuries, hundreds require hospitalization and thousands require emergency room visits

Background Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) data for young workers in Connecticut has not been analyzed in over ten years Lack of data makes it difficult to identify high- risk and/or specific areas of concern Limited # of data sources available Injury prevention initiatives CT Young Worker Safety Team

Workers Compensation Data Employers First Report of Occupational Injury and Illness How did we get this information? History of using this data Clinics Bill Key personnel

Overview Injury Claims were obtained from WCC years of age 1,418 reports used for analysis Demographic, cross tabs and temporal analyses for injury, industry, and occupation

Limitations Data may be incomplete for 2001 Specific denominator data for this age group could not be obtained WCC data does not capture all occupational injuries Information under reported by employers Not mandated/Fear of higher insurance costs

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Gender and Year, Connecticut, (Gender was unknown for 17 records)

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Age and Year, Connecticut, Age in Years Total n=1418

Percentage of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Age and Year of Injury, Connecticut, Year of Injury Percentage

Distribution of Reported Injury Types among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=1418

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Injury Type and Age, Connecticut, Type of Injury 14 years 15 years 16 years 17 yearsTotal Lacerations Strains and Sprains Contusions Burns Fractures Unknown Other

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Injury Type and Gender, Connecticut, Type of InjuryTotal% Males Lacerations Strains and Sprains Contusions Burns Fractures Unknown Other Total (Gender was unknown for 17 records).

Distribution of Reported Injuries to Young Workers by Selected Industry Types, Connecticut, n=1418

Distribution of Reported Injuries in Eating and Drinking Places among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=339

Distribution of Reported Injuries in General Merchandise Stores among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=182

Distribution of Reported Injuries in Food Stores among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=163

Distribution of Reported Injuries in Health Services among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=95

Distribution of Reported Injuries in General Government among Young Workers, Connecticut, n=84

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Industry Type and Gender, Connecticut, Type of IndustryTotal% Males Eating and drinking places General merchandise stores Food stores Health Services General government Unknown Other Total (Gender was unknown for 17 records).

Distribution of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Occupation Types, Connecticut, n=1418

Number of Reported Injuries among Young Workers by Selected Occupation Type and Gender, Connecticut, OccupationTotal% Males Laborer Restaurant workers Retail store Convalescent or nursing home employee Unknown Other Total (Gender was unknown for 17 records).

Conclusions Young workers are suffering from occupational injuries in Connecticut, despite the existence of regulations designed to protect them. Comprehensive data sources for young worker injuries in the state are lacking.

Conclusions Need for intervention strategies based upon surveillance data Males Lacerations Sprains & strains Eating and drinking places (i.e. restaurants) 2x

Next Steps Denominator data needed for rate calculations with WCC Verify 2001 data with WCC Add 2002 data Capture-recapture analysis with data from Department of Labor and/or Emergency Department data

Next Steps Encourage and implement educational programs to train young workers about potential occupational hazards Possible solutions: modifying the environment, use of appropriate protective equipment, age-appropriate training and supervision, and increased enforcement of the child labor laws should be considered