Occupational injury rates and severity among minor, young-adult, and adult workers — Washington State, 2005–2007 Eric Jalonen, MPH WA State Department of Labor and Industries Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention Program (SHARP) Phone:

Disclaimer:  The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Topics of Presentation: 1.Brief history of regulations for young worker 2.Washington State Department of Labor and Industries 3.Differences in injury rates and injury severity by age population within Washington State from

History of Young Workers Fish cutters, Maine

 1830s: laws restricting young workers  1904: National Child Labor Committee  : Lewis Hines photographs child labor conditions Replacing empty bobbins at Bibb Mill No. 1; Macon, GA

Six-year-old cotton picker, Comanche County Oklahoma

Fair Labor Standard Act  Passed in 1938  Declared constitutional 1941  Set: –Age limits –Wage requirements –Hour restrictions –Hazardous occupations Lumber yard, Burlington, Vermont

Newsies: Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. He jumps on and off moving trolley cars at the risk of his life. St. Louis, Missouri.

Washington’s Regulations  Under 18 years old: –Work permit –Parent and school permission –Restricted job duties –Restricted job hours –Wage requirements View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. South Pittston, Pennsylvania

Bowling alley boys, New Haven, Connecticut

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries  Three divisions: −State OSHA Program −Insurance Services (Workers’ Compensation) −Employment Standards  Prevention Activities −Consultation services −Identification of new hazards −Targeted prevention programs −Injured Young Worker Speaker Series −Social marketing campaigns

Young Worker Injuries in Washington  From –17,800 claims for year olds –89 % of claims between ages years old –Lacerations most common type of injury –3 occupational fatalities  year olds accepted claims rate almost double that of 18 and older. 1 –Males higher rates than females

Young Worker Injury Information  Nationally 17% of workforce between ages years old,  Average 572 occupational deaths –Fatality rate 3.6 per 100,000 FTEs (15-24 year olds)  7.9 million nonfatal injuries treated in ED –5.0 ED-treated injuries per 100 FTEs –Highest rates among 18 and 19 year old workers

SHARP Research  Injury rates and injury severity for young workers compared to older workers  Methods –WA State Workers’ Compensation Data –American Community Survey Select Industries Reside and work in Washington

Age (Years)

Limitations  Denominator data  Self-insured cost information

Current Projects:  Research into causes/effects of injured young workers. –Interviews –Case narratives –Injured Young Worker Speaker Series

Future Research Topics  Effectiveness of restricted duties  Alternative outreach activities –Social marketing and gaming  Social behaviors of young workers –Are they more likely involved in risk taking behaviors than nonworking peers?

References:  1.Miller, ME., & Kaufman, JD. (1998). Occupational injuries among adolescents in Washington state, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 34,  2.Estes, CR., Jackson, LL., & Castillo, DN. (2010). Occupational injuries and deaths among younger workers---United States, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(15),

Acknowledgements  Dave Bonauto  Darrin Adams  Eddy Rauser  Xenofon Moniodis  Todd Schoonover  Jena Pratt  Lisa Pogue  Fabiola Gonzalez

Final Thoughts  Focus prevention efforts on young workers between ages 16 – 24.  Target new workers within construction industry to help lower rates and claims cost.