A Glance at the Job Risks Young Workers Face & What They Can Do to Protect Themselves

Young workers who are just entering the workforce are among the most vulnerable to workplace accidents and injuries, according to officials at the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).In fact, in 2103 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), more than 350 workers (who are 24 and younger) lost their lives to fatal work accidents, injuries and/or illnesses.

To put this in a different perspective:

• Every five days or so, at least one young worker dies in a work-related accident.
• Every seven minutes, a young worker is hospitalized to treat a work-related injury.

While young workers’ inexperience on the job can be a contributing factor to the high rate of workplace accidents, injuries and deaths among this demographic, so too is the fact that these workers tend to work in some of the most dangerous occupations, including in (but not limited to):

• Construction jobs
• Roofing jobs
• Oil field jobs
• Agricultural jobs
• Retail/food service jobs (which can be dangerous due to hot grease, workplace violence, etc.).

Specific Hazards that Put Young Workers at Risk

Although young workers can face a myriad of risks at work, depending on the nature of their jobs, generally, some of the most common risks that threaten the health and safety of these workers include:

• Dangerous equipment
• A lack of job training and/or supervision on the job
• Pressure to work as fast as possible
• Workplace violence
• Other work stresses.

How to Reduce the Job Risks for Young Workers

To stay safe at work and minimize the chances of sustaining a job-related injury, young workers should, according to OSHA:

• Know their rights – Specifically, young workers should be aware that they have the right to work in a safe environment, free from hazards that could cause accidents and injuries.
• Get the training they need – Employers should provide the appropriate job training for young workers, and this training should be conducted in a language that workers can understand. If workers don’t understand anything during training, they should ask questions to get the info they need.
• Wear the necessary protective gear – This can include, depending on the job, a safety helmet, googles, protective gloves and/or other protective clothing.
• Contact OSHA if their rights have been violated – Young workers can file confidential reports with OSHA if they believe an employer has violated their rights to a safe workplace (or has violated any OSHA standard).

Contact the Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have you or a loved one been hurt at work? If so, the experienced and trusted Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are ready to stand up for your rights.

Since 1950, we have been providing the highest quality legal services and representation to our clients. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, we are passionate about our clients, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their losses and injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life.

If you are ready to learn more about your best legal options and how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.