Summer work and injury among middle school students, aged 10-14 years.

BACKGROUND

Little information exists on injury and factors associated with injury in working youth aged 10-14 years. Most studies do not involve children younger than 15.

METHODS

A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to middle school students in five school districts and one large urban school in October 2001.

RESULTS

Of the 3189 working middle school students who responded to the survey, the majority were employed in informal job settings, such as working for someone in a home, newspaper delivery, and working on family farms or in family businesses. Overall, 18% of children reported being injured at work. Of those injured, 26% reported that their injury was severe enough to affect their activities for more than three days. Variables that were associated with injury included having a "near-miss" incident at work (AOR 6.61, 95% CI 4.92 to 8.89), having a co-worker injured (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.60), and being asked to do something dangerous (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Children are working and being injured in jobs that are not covered by existing child labour laws. Injury rates in non-covered occupations are high, warranting review of current laws.