Federal OSHA has recently implemented a Young Worker Initiative. The goal is to increase young workers' awareness of the importance of occupational safety and health. It is estimated that approximately 45% of 16-17 year-old teens are in the workforce at any given time; and an estimated 80% are employed at some point before they leave high school.

Nationally, about 200,000 workers under age 18 are injured each year. In Oregon approximately 300 receive disabling injuries each year. This does not even begin to identify the potentially hundreds of non-disabling injuries. Teens are restricted from the most hazardous of jobs, yet they are consistently injured at higher rates than adults. The habits and attitudes that young workers learn in their first job will be carried into future jobs, including unsafe work practices and an acceptance that being hurt on the job is okay.

Oregon OSHA along with, employers, teachers, students, and parents need to work to help young people recognize the importance of workplace safety from their first job forward. Oregon OSHA has put together a variety of resources that can help. Please click on the links below for more information.