Abstract
More than 70 % of teenagers are employed before graduating high school. Every 10 min, in the United States, a young worker
is injured on the job. Safety training has been suggested as a way to prevent injuries, yet little is known about the methods
of safety training and the effectiveness of training that teens receive at work. This study is the first to assess the attitudes
teens hold towards safety training and what they believe would help them stay safe on the job. In 2010, focus groups and interviews
were conducted with 42 teens from public high schools in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Participating teens were aged 15–19 years
old, 43 % male, 69 % African-American, and 56 % worked either in the restaurant/food industry or in retail jobs. Most teens
reported receiving safety training. Although the majority believed that safety training was important, many felt that they
personally did not need safety training; that it was “common sense.” However, 52 % of teens reported workplace injuries. Many
viewed injury lightly and as part of the job, even those that sustained severe injuries. Most teens were trained by methods
that seem at best “boring” and at worst, ineffective. Little interaction, action, or repetition is used. Training is not geared
towards teens’ developmental levels or interest, as in most cases all workers received the same type of training. Safety training
may be a powerful way to reduce injury rates among working teenagers, but it is essential that training methods which are
geared towards teens are utilized.
is injured on the job. Safety training has been suggested as a way to prevent injuries, yet little is known about the methods
of safety training and the effectiveness of training that teens receive at work. This study is the first to assess the attitudes
teens hold towards safety training and what they believe would help them stay safe on the job. In 2010, focus groups and interviews
were conducted with 42 teens from public high schools in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Participating teens were aged 15–19 years
old, 43 % male, 69 % African-American, and 56 % worked either in the restaurant/food industry or in retail jobs. Most teens
reported receiving safety training. Although the majority believed that safety training was important, many felt that they
personally did not need safety training; that it was “common sense.” However, 52 % of teens reported workplace injuries. Many
viewed injury lightly and as part of the job, even those that sustained severe injuries. Most teens were trained by methods
that seem at best “boring” and at worst, ineffective. Little interaction, action, or repetition is used. Training is not geared
towards teens’ developmental levels or interest, as in most cases all workers received the same type of training. Safety training
may be a powerful way to reduce injury rates among working teenagers, but it is essential that training methods which are
geared towards teens are utilized.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9570-z
- Authors
- Kristina M. Zierold, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Erin C. Welsh, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Teresa J. McGeeney, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145