Subscribe to our newsletter. Every year about 70 teens die from work injuries in the United States. Another 70,000 get hurt badly enough that they go to a hospital emergency room. Teens are often injured on the job due to unsafe equipment, stressful conditions, and speed-up. Also teens may not receive adequate safety training and supervision.
Most teens work in retail fast food restaurants, supermarkets and stores.
But they also work in nursing homes, schools, amusement parks and summer camps. Some work on farms. Most injuries and deaths result from driving cars or using heavy equipment and power tools, all prohibited by child labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Operate many types of powered equipment like a circular saw, box crusher, meat slicer, or bakery machine. Work in wrecking, demolition, excavation, or roofing.