Kristina M Zierold, PhD, MS¹, Susan Garman, BSN, MS-EPH, COHNS², and Henry Anderson, MD². (1) Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, HESC 301, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-6221, zierold@gwm.sc.edu, (2) Bureau of Occupational Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Public Health, 1 West Wilson Street, Room B157, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701-2659

In the United States, 70-80% of youth work for some period before leaving high school. Hundreds of working youth are killed or seriously injured by occupational accidents each year, with 15-45% resulting in work restrictions or permanent disability. Few studies have evaluated the role of work permits in teenagers employment. No information exists on the role of work permits in preventing occupational injury among working teenagers. In May, 2002, a cross-sectional anonymous survey was given to 7,506 high school students, located within the five public health regions of Wisconsin. Overall, 76% of students reported obtaining a work permit. Percentages of teens with permits among jobs ranged from 40% to 90%. Students with work permits were significantly more likely to report receiving safety training, being informed of their legal rights, and receiving a safety manual than students without permits. Nevertheless, students having permits were significantly more likely to be injured, have a near-miss incident at work, and be asked to do something dangerous than students without permits. Work permits alone do not reduce or prevent work-related injuries among youth. Knowledge about labor laws, occupational safety and health topics, and the work permit system are all needed to prevent and reduce work-related injuries in youth.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the job differences among teen workers with work permits compared to those without work permits.
• Describe the prevalence of students obtaining work permits among different jobs and tasks.
• Understand the role of work permits in safety training.
• Understand the role of work permits in preventing occupational injury.

Keywords: Youth at Work, Injury Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.