Beware of summer jobs for teens

With upwards of four million teens finding jobs this summer, the National Consumer League warns them to work safe jobs. NIOSH estimates that 230,000 teen workers will be injured on the job this year with 60-70 fatalities.

Many teens are working in unsafe conditions without proper training or supervision. Too many are injured or killed on the job because they are performing tasks that are prohibited by federal or state labor laws. Some are injured and killed because they are performing tasks that should be prohibited for minors.

NCL annually compiles the five worst teen jobs, based on government statistics and reports, and this year’s five are:

* Agriculture: fieldwork and processing
* Construction and work in heights
* Outside helper: landscaping, groundskeeping and lawn service
* Driver/operator: forklifts, tractors and ATVs
* Traveling youth crews (door to door sales)

Working teens should know child labor laws and protections in the workplace. Employers must commit to full compliance with child labor laws and remain vigilant for safety in the workplace.