How are young workers getting hurt?
You name it, and it happens. Young workers are injured by slips and falls, by over exerting themselves, by objects that hit them, by exposure to hazardous chemicals, and by contact to hazardous materials.
Young workers are also injured by powerful machines they don't understand, that may not have guards to protect fingers and arms, or that may not be operated safely.
- In 1999, 14 young workers were killed, 12 of them at small employers with less than 20 employees
- In 1999, 254 young workers suffered the loss of a body part when it was torn off (avulsion) or cut off (amputation).
That's just a small part of the 15,366 young workers injured in 1999 alone.
Top 5 causes of injury to young workers 1996-1999
- Struck against, struck by an object
- Overexertion
- Falls
- Bodily reaction excluding overexertions and repetitive motion
- Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects
The most common injuries to young workers 1996-1999
- Sprains and strains
- Loss of body part by amputation or avulsion
- Abrasions, blisters, contusions & fraction burns
- Fractures
- Chemical, electrical and heat burns
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