TY - JOUR
T1 - Occupational Fatalities Among Young Workers in the United States: 2001–2012
AU - Myers, Douglas J.
AU - Rauscher, Kimberly J.
N1 - Kimberly J. Rauscher ScD, MA Corresponding Author Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, West Virginia West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center, Morgantown, West Virginia Correspondence to: Kimberly Rauscher, ScD, MA, West Virginia University Injury Control Research Center, P.O.
PY - 2016/6
Y1 - 2016/6
N2 - Background While adolescent workers in the United States (US) are protected by child labor laws, they continue to suffer fatal occupational injuries. This study was designed to provide a comprehensive profile of occupational fatalities among this sub-population of US workers. Methods Using Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data between 2001 and 2012, we calculated descriptive statistics and rates to examine the magnitude and nature of fatalities among workers under age 18. Results During the study period, there were 406 fatalities among young workers which translated into 24,790 years of potential life lost; 12,241 of which were in agriculture alone. Rates declined since 2001 yet Hispanics, foreign-born workers, males, and those working in agriculture continued to suffer a disproportionate fatality burden. Conclusions Efforts to reduce young worker fatalities should focus on male Hispanics, particularly those who are foreign-born, as well as agricultural workers as these groups have the greatest fatality risks.
AB - Background While adolescent workers in the United States (US) are protected by child labor laws, they continue to suffer fatal occupational injuries. This study was designed to provide a comprehensive profile of occupational fatalities among this sub-population of US workers. Methods Using Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data between 2001 and 2012, we calculated descriptive statistics and rates to examine the magnitude and nature of fatalities among workers under age 18. Results During the study period, there were 406 fatalities among young workers which translated into 24,790 years of potential life lost; 12,241 of which were in agriculture alone. Rates declined since 2001 yet Hispanics, foreign-born workers, males, and those working in agriculture continued to suffer a disproportionate fatality burden. Conclusions Efforts to reduce young worker fatalities should focus on male Hispanics, particularly those who are foreign-born, as well as agricultural workers as these groups have the greatest fatality risks.
KW - adolescent workers
KW - occupational fatalities
KW - work-related fatalities
KW - young workers
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22581
U2 - 10.1002/ajim.22581
DO - 10.1002/ajim.22581
M3 - Article
C2 - 26969877
VL - 59
JO - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
JF - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
IS - 6
ER -