Teenagers who are looking to enter the job market often lack knowledge concerning workplace safety. It is important that employers provide proper training and safety information that can help prevent workplace injuries. Tennessee employers are encouraged to ensure that their workforces are educated on ways to perform their duties in a manner that may reduce the likelihood of teens needing to file workers’ compensation claims.
According to information garnered from a report that investigated the injury rate for teen workers in one state, nearly 50 percent claimed that they had not been instructed in safety and health standards. In addition, half of those workers stated that their injuries may have been prevented if they had received essential training. Researchers reviewed interviews with teens to prepare their report.
There are four main employment sectors that are most likely to employ teen workers. These consist of food and hospitality industries, health care assistance, certain construction fields and retail stores. These four fields were responsible for approximately 70 percent of all work-related injuries for teens. Overall, it is estimated that teens are twice as likely to be injured on the job compared to workers over the age of 25 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report noted that more than 40 percent of the claims filed for brain injuries in this age group were filed in the past five years. Restaurant workers were the most likely to suffer a head injury on the job. Though the report focused on teen workers in Massachusetts, teens in every state require appropriate training in order to ensure their safety at work. Tennessee employees who suffer a serious injury or work-related illness are entitled to seek benefits from the state’s workers’ compensation program. An experienced attorney can provide knowledgeable assistance in filing a claim to recover maximum benefits.
