PRESS RELEASE

Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign

Agricultural and Construction Related Work

Indianapolis, IN June 2, 2008 - The Indiana Department of Labor reminds employers and teens to work safely. 

Work experience can be a great benefit to teens and their employers.  Regardless of where teens work - in a restaurant or grocery store, in an office or on a farm, the mission of the Indiana Department of Labor is to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and protect teen workers by promoting positive and safe work experiences. 

Agricultural Work

Agriculture work exposes young workers to safety and health hazards such as machinery, confined spaces, work at elevations and work around livestock.  Additionally, young workers may be exposed to chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, noisy machinery, respiratory irritants and toxic gases.  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) cited the Agriculture industry as the most dangerous industry for teens to work. 

According to NIOSH, the agriculture industry accounted for 42% of all work-related fatalities of young workers in the United States in 1992-2000.  Unlike other industries, half of the young victims in agriculture were under the age of 15.    For additional information on age, job and hour restrictions in the agriculture industry please visit http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/docs/hazag.asp .

Construction Work

From falling and electrocution to machinery incidents and motor vehicle crashes, the complex and ever-changing construction work environment presents a wide array of safety hazards.  Historically, more U.S. workers are fatally injured in construction than any other industry. 

Child labor laws prohibit workers aged 14 and 15 from working in construction, except when performing office work away from the construction site.  Other laws that apply to all workers under age 18 prohibit several tasks associated with construction, for instance; occupations in excavation, roofing, wrecking, demolition and ship breaking operations.  For a complete list of prohibited jobs please contact the U.S. Department of Labor:

Indianapolis (Central and Southern Indiana)

            Phone:  (317) 226-6801

• South Bend (Northern Indiana)

      Phone:  (574) 236-8331

 

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Michelle L. Ellison at (317) 234-4792.

 

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