Young Worker Program
Young workers experience high rates of job-related injuries and illnesses. Occupational health and safety (OHS) resources are critical for young workers, who may lack experience and knowledge about workplace hazards and safety protocols. Below are key resources focused specifically on occupational health and safety for young workers. These resources are targeted for educators, safety professionals and trainers. UW OSHCE has collected and reviewed occupational health curriculum over the years for young workers, and, these materials are located in the archive folder. These are not routinely updated. We are making these available because we continue to receive requests for these materials.
Curriculum
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) TALKING SAFETY - YOUTH AT WORK is a curriculum available by each state. Eleven lesson plans are designed to be used in a class period. Select the state box for the curriculum - it is flexible and can easily be tailored to the needs of your students. The state files below contain additional fact sheets and resources.
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
Resources
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
NIOSH offers a variety of resources for young workers, including educational materials, videos, and interactive tools to help understand workplace hazards and safety practices. They also have a dedicated youth program to promote safe work practices.
Website: NIOSH Young Worker Safety and Health - U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
OSHA provides extensive resources tailored to young workers, including safety training materials, information on workplace rights, and specific guidelines for different industries (e.g., construction, retail, healthcare).
Website: OSHA Young Workers
Parents & Educators
Employers
Young Workers - You have rights! - U.S. Department of Labor (DOL):
The DOL provides information about child labor laws, workplace rights, and safety regulations that specifically apply to young workers.
Website: DOL Youth & Labor - OSHA’s "Youth in Agriculture" eTool:
Designed specifically for young workers in agriculture, this tool offers interactive resources to educate about common hazards in agricultural settings.
Website: OSHA Agriculture eTool - WorkSafeBC for Young Workers (Canada):
Provides guides, videos, and interactive tools to help young workers understand workplace safety, their rights, and how to protect themselves from injury.
Website: WorkSafeBC Young Workers - Oregon Young Employee Safety O[yes]
Enhances youth’s understanding of young worker injuries, finding and controlling hazards, the rights and responsibilities they have at work, how to speak up for safety, and how to be prepared for emergencies at work.
Website: Oregon Young Employee Safety - Washington State Labor & Industries Teen and Young Worker Safety and Health
This website provides safety and health resource information for employers, supervisors, and teen workers in Washington state.
Website: WA L&I - National Young Worker Safety Resource Center (NYWSRC):
This organization offers resources like safety training programs, toolkits, and materials designed for educators, employers, and young workers to promote safe and healthy working environments.
Website: NYWSRC - State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF):
Workers between 15 and 25 years old are injured on the job more often than their older coworkers. Here’s how to help teens and young adults stay safe in the workplace.
Website: SAIF
