Abstract:
Purpose: Child labor laws restrict jobs and activities. This presentation examines teen construction workers’ knowledge of child labor laws to understand the sources and social bases of teen workers’ knowledge and safety consciousness.
Methods: Data were obtained from a pilot telephone survey conducted in North Carolina in the fall of 2000. The sample was based on employment certificates of teen construction workers filed with the North Carolina Department of Labor in June and July of 2000. A total of 123 interviews out of 153 eligible teens were completed. Cross-tabulation is used to assess the relationship between employer characteristics, teen training and information on child labor laws. Results: Preliminary data from this pilot study indicate that 81% of teens who received training, 84% of teens who received safety training and 72% of teens who had apprenticeship programs were informed by their employers of child labor laws regarding prohibited tasks and equipment. Findings indicate that even though teens are informed of child labor laws they still perform hazardous tasks prohibited by child labor laws. Conclusions: Findings will have important implications for teen occupational safety interventions targeted at construction firms. In addition to researching the gap between teen knowledge of child labor laws and illegal hazardous practices, future studies should address the issues of training, compliance and enforcement of child labor laws by regulatory agencies.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will identify three factors that will help understand teen construction workers' knowledge of child labor laws in North Carolina.
Keywords: Safety, Occupational Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.