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Restaurant Safety for Teen Workers Safety and Health Topics
Restaurant Safety for Teen Workers

In Focus
The United States has more of its youth in the workforce than any other developed country in the world. By the year 2010, 17.8 million youths aged 16–19 will work, up from 16 million in 2000, according to government forecasts. Young workers suffer a disproportionate share of injuries and fatalities, especially in the first year on the job. In 2006, 30 youths under 18 died from work-related injuries. More than 4 million teens leave their classrooms each summer to find work, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimated that 54,800 work-related injuries and illnesses among youth less than 18 years of age were treated in hospital emergency departments. Because only one-third of work-related injuries are seen in emergency departments, it is likely the actual number of such injuries among working youth is much higher, approximately 160,000 injuries and illnesses each year. The vast majority of these injuries occur in eating and drinking establishments. The restaurant industry and other retail businesses rank high among US industries for risk of adolescent worker injuries.

The following questions link to general information on the various hazards of the food service industry and techniques for protecting those involved.

Standards What standards apply?
OSHA | Other Federal
Hazard Recognition What hazards are present for teen workers in restaurants?
Possible Solutions What are some possible solutions for hazards faced by teen workers in restaurants?
Additional Information What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Other Resources

In Focus
Teen Worker Safety in RestaurantseTools
 Safety and
 Health Topics
 
  Restaurant Safety for Teen Workers
  Standards
  Hazard Recognition
  Possible Solutions
  Additional
Information
  Credits
 
Content Reviewed 07/08/2005
 
 

 
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