Safety Matters: A Safety & Health Training for Young Workers

October 2015
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2016-100
Cover page for publication 2016-100

Millions of teens in the United States work. Recent statistics show that 1.6 million U.S. youth age 15–17 are employed. Surveys suggest that 80% of teens have worked by the time they finish high school. Although work provides many benefits for young people, it can also be dangerous. Every year, nearly 60,000 youths age 15 to 17 get injured on the job seriously enough to seek emergency room treatment. In fact, teens are twice as likely to be injured at work than are adult workers. We also know that those under age 15 suffer high rates of occupational injuries, but accurate numbers are unavailable.

For more information view the NIOSH topic page: Safety Matters: A Safety & Health Training for Young Workers.

Page last reviewed: September 28, 2015