Severe injury and the need for improved safety training among working teens.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate work characteristics and safety training among teenagers with severe work-related injuries.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered to 6810 high school Wisconsin students in May 2003.

RESULTS

Fifteen percent of working teens reported being injured at work. Variables associated with severe injury included having a near-miss incident at work (AOR = 8.72, 95%CI = 5.51-13), working after 11:00 PM (AOR = 4.21, 95%CI=2.08-8.53), and being asked to do something dangerous (AOR = 2.59, 95%CI = 1.53-4.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Prohibiting teens from working long and late hours, improved safety training, and increased communication between teens and their coworkers and supervisors may help reduce the occurrence of injury.