Young Worker Safety
General Safety | 10-15 min
Summary
Young and new workers face higher injury rates due to inexperience, physical development, reluctance to ask questions, and desire to prove themselves. Workers under 25 have injury rates 60% higher than older workers, and those aged 15-17 are twice as likely to be injured as adult workers. Each year, approximately 160,000 young workers are injured on the job, and about 60 are killed.
Members get the full script, discussion questions, English + Spanish printable PDFs, and email delivery.
Start your 7-day free trialKey Points to Cover
- Young workers are injured at higher rates
- Some tasks are prohibited for workers under 18
- Provide close supervision and mentoring
- Encourage questions - there are no dumb questions about safety
- Training must be appropriate to the worker's experience
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should this safety talk take?
Plan for about 10-15 min, with extra time for questions and site-specific examples.
Can I tailor the discussion to my workplace?
Yes. Use the key points as a starting place and connect them to the tasks, equipment, and procedures your team uses.