There Ought To Be a Law! Teen, Work and Safety

Talking Safety You will learn about: Some of the ways people (both youth and adults) can get hurt on the job. What to do if you see something at work that could hurt you or make you sick. What legal rights all workers have to make sure their jobs are safe. What extra protections young workers have under child labor laws.

There Ought To Be a Law! Job health and safety laws that protect all workers Child labor laws that give protection to young people

Unsafe Working Conditions How many of you work? What kind of work do you do? Do you know anyone who has bee hurt on the job? If so, what kind of injury?

Bibb Mill

Judith

Why Do Teens Work? The number one reason: MONEY Other reasons: –Work Experience –Sense of Independence –Parent’s influence

Most Teens Work Before They’re 18 80% of teens report that they have held jobs before completing high school. 15- to 17-year olds with jobs work an average of 17 hours per week during school months and 23 hours per week during summer months.

Teen Work Injury Statistics Millions of U.S. teens work and thousands are injured on the job every year Many youth are injured on the job: –250,000 <18-year-olds injured/year in the US –84,000 <18-year-olds to the ER for work injuries –70 <18-year-olds die each year – year-olds die each year Young workers are injured at a higher rate than adult workers.

Thousands of Teens Are Injured on the Job Teen job injury rates: –Are higher for males than for females –Are higher for older teens than for younger ones Common teen job injuries include cuts, sprains, strains, burns and fractures. An average of 70 U.S. teens (ages 16-17) die from job injuries every year. Leading causes of death were motor vehicles, farm machinery, other machines, electrocution, and homicides.

Teens are Injured at Higher Rates Than Adults A teen is injured every six minutes on the job. :06

Overhead #5 Where are Teens Injured? Other 15% Retail 54% Agriculture 7% Manufacturing 4% Service 20% Other 11% Retail 54% Agriculture 5% Manufacturing 5% Service 25% Teen Work Injury Statistics Where Teens Work Where Teens are Injured

Why are Young Workers Injured at High Rates? Teens: The Hazards We Face in the Workplace Video and Discussion

How Are Teens Injured? Statistics show that many teen job injuries are caused by: –Driving motor vehicles –Operating tractors –Handling hot liquids and grease –Using cutting tools –Using non-powered hand tools –Lifting heavy objects –Working late at night –Working alone The law prohibits teens from doing some of these tasks, (but not all)

Why Teens are at Higher Risk for Injury than Adults: Low-pay, high turnover jobs Inexperience Lack of training and supervision Want to be responsible and appear competent Physical development

Teen Workers Often Do Not Get the Training They Need Studies and surveys reveal that young workers do not receive adequate health and safety training at work. Youth are often assigned potentially dangerous tasks for which they receive not training.

Teens Who Work Long Hours May Experience: Lack of sleep Difficulty staying awake in class and less time for homework Negative effects on learning Moodiness and difficulty in controlling emotions Increased use of stimulants, e.g. caffeine, nicotine

Children and Youth at Work in 1900 The average laborer worked hours per day, 6 days a week, for $1.50 a day. Two million children under 15 worked in industrial jobs for wages. Children aged made up ¼ of the textile labor force in the South.

Children and Youth at Work in 1900 Families received nothing when a worker was injured or killed. Only some states had laws that addressed working conditions Only some state required children to go to school.

Day #2 Teens, Work & Safety

Rules of the Game Each team should choose a team leader to speak for them. The first team can pick any category and dollar amount from the game board. The instructor will ask the corresponding question. The team then gets 30 seconds to agree on an answer, and the team leader gives the answer.

Rules of the Game (cont.) If the first team answers correctly, they get the dollar amount. Then the next team picks a category and dollar amount. If the first team answers incorrectly, another team is called on to answer the same question and so on, until one team gets the correct answer. (Does not apply on T/F questions). A team that gets a correct answer doesn’t get another turn. Another team will be called on.

Overhead #27 Know Your Rights Rights on the Job Dangerous Work and Work Permits Hours for Teens and Working Safely Job Injuries and Getting Help $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 Jeopardy Game

Know Your Rights: Key Points Federal and state labor laws: –Set minimum age for some tasks –Protect teens from working too long, too late or too early OSHA says every employer must provide: –A safe workplace –Safety training on certain hazards –Safety equipment By law, your employer is not allowed to fire or punish you for reporting a safety problem.

Handling Workplace Safety Problems Steps in Problem Solving Define the problem Get advice Choose your goals Know your rights Decide the best way to talk to the supervisor If necessary, contact an outside agency for help.

Model Laws

When Were Laws Passed? 1830s: States began to pass laws to restrict child labor. 1904: National Child Labor Committee formed. More states pass stronger child labor laws. 1911:Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: Leads to some of the first job safety legislation.

When Were Laws Passed? 1916:Railroad workers are the first to be guaranteed an 8-hour day. 1938: Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is passed. »Establishes a minimum wage »Prohibits youth under age 14 from doing most kinds of formal work »Prohibits youth under age 18 from doing many kinds of hazardous work. »Limits the hours that youth under age 16 can work.

When Were Laws Passed? 1970:Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is passed. »Requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace. »Establishes specific protections from many types of hazards. »Establishes OSHA as the enforcement agency.

Finding the Hazards

Job Hazards A job hazard is anything at work that can hurt you either physically or mentally. Safety hazards: knives, hot grease, etc. Chemical hazards: dusts, gases, vapors Biological hazards: living organisms Other health hazards: noise, radiation, repetitive movements, heat, cold, stress

Overhead #9 Find the Hazards: Fast Food Illustrated Workplaces

Overhead #10 Find the Hazards: Grocery Store Illustrated Workplaces

Overhead #11 Find the Hazards: Office Illustrated Workplaces

Overhead #12 Find the Hazards: Gas Station Illustrated Workplaces

Overhead #15 Controlling Hazards Remove the Hazard (e.g., use safer chemicals) Work Policies and Procedures (e.g., assign enough people to do the job) Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., wear gloves, use a respirator)

Finding Hazards: Key Points Every job has health and safety hazards You should always be aware of these hazards Find out about chemicals at work by checking labels, readings MSDSs, and getting training.

Stay Safe at Work