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Occupational fatalities among young workers in the United States: 2001–2012
Author(s) -
Rauscher Kimberly J.,
Myers Douglas J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22581
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , census , demography , environmental health , injury prevention , population , agriculture , occupational injury , poison control , case fatality rate , gerontology , geography , archaeology , pathology , sociology
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. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:445–452, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.