Teen Worker Safety

The worksite injury and illness rates for teenagers are higher than the injury and illness rates for the members of any other comparably sized age bracket in the American workforce. There are many reasons why teens are injured so often while working. These reasons can include lack of experience, inadequate training, and the reluctance some teens have to speaking up when they are in unsafe situations.

The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training limits the work that teens are allowed to perform to:

• Clerical and office work
• Landscaping (no power-driven machinery)
• Price tagging
• Bagging and cashier work
• Washing dishes, cleaning tables, waiting tables, and bussing tables
• Assembly and shelving work

For information about the times teens can work, the hours per week they can work, the minimum wage, and the paperwork teens need to begin working, contact the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training directly.

What should teens and parents do

Any unsafe work conditions should be brought to the attention of an employer. If an employer does not take any action to correct the problem and a worksite remains unsafe, file a complaint with the Rhode Island branch of OSHA . If you or your teenager is in serious danger, call (800) 321-OSHA immediately.

If OSHA contacts your employer regarding the complaint and possible hazard, your name can be kept confidential. As a result of your complaint, your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or punish you in any way. If you are penalized by your employer as a result of a safety complaint, you may contact the Rhode Island branch of OSHA .

What should employers do

Follow federal OSHA's guidelines to limit or prevent workplace injuries and make work safer for young workers