Recent reports indicate that adolescents in America are disproportionately exposed to workplace hazards, and work-related fatalities. Due to inexperience and job training issues, this problem may be compounded among seasonally employed youth in resort areas, and further research is needed. This presentation will discuss findings and subsequent interventions from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of undergraduate students in a rural university in the Poconos. Pre-and post-seminar community evaluation findings will be presented. All 5000 students are eligible for participation in the study. The purpose of the study is to obtain detailed current and previous work-related exposure histories, and knowledge about worker’s rights. The most common occupations for adolescents in this rural area will be identified. Types and levels of occupational hazards and exposures will be assessed. Using this information, a safety handbook and reference tool will be developed. The community health education component of the project will target students, their parents and involved members of the community. These individuals will attend seminars to discuss the dangers students face working in a rural area. They will receive information on feasible improvements, pertinent legislation, and agencies that are advocates for adolescent workers. Thus, parents, students and other community members become active participants in preventing injury and maintaining a safe work environment for working youth. Students will be empowered to report and challenge any unsafe work conditions. Preventing injury and disease lies in educating working students, their parents and employers, and the community about youth work hazards in a region not previously studied.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (i) Identify and assess probable occupational health risks faced by working youth every day, (ii) Evaluate the working environments of adolescents, (iii) Articulate the rights of adolescent workers, and describe community resources that are available for improving unsafe working conditions, and (iv) Discuss and develop a plan of action to improve and/or ameliorate dangerous working conditions.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Workplace Safety
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.