Protecting Tomorrow’s Workforce: Young Worker Safety in the Modern Workplace

What is Young Worker Safety?

Young worker safety is a focused EHS discipline built on structured practices, clear policies, and comprehensive training designed to safeguard employees, particularly those under 25. These individuals face distinct occupational hazards due to their unique physical attributes, social circumstances, economic conditions, and limited experience. This targeted safety framework emphasizes supervision, onboarding, and ongoing engagement to ensure their safety and continuous development.

What are the Top 7 Hazards for Young Workers?

Unique workplace hazards not only hinder young workers' performance and growth but also put employee safety at risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other health and safety agencies point to the following as possible causes:

• Inadequate safety training - A lack of clear, comprehensive training is a major hazard. When workers aren’t taught about workplace risks, they won’t be able to protect themselves.

• Limited supervision - Inexperienced workers require constant guidance. Neglecting this basic need increases the likelihood of accidents.

• Unsafe equipment - Machinery, power tools, and specialized equipment present significant hazards that can lead to serious injuries, such as lacerations, amputations, and electrocution.

• Pressure to work faster - Eager to impress or meet expectations, young workers may rush tasks and skip safety procedures. They may also work beyond their physical capabilities, leading to slips, falls, strains, and other ergonomic injuries.

• Stressful conditions - Balancing job demands with academic pressures can cause stress among young people, making them prone to errors and accidents.

• Bullying and harassment - Young hires are vulnerable to these issues due to their age and lower status in the workplace. This hostile environment breeds anxiety, distraction, and reluctance to report concerns.

• Dangerous work inappropriate for the youth - Workers under 18 are legally prohibited from hazardous jobs and long hours. Aside from their unfamiliarity with labor laws, they might not be confident enough to decline high-risk tasks, putting themselves in danger.

Why Managing Young Worker Safety is Crucial

Historically, young workers were overlooked in workplace safety frameworks, leaving them vulnerable to serious injury or fatality. Over time, this issue gained recognition, resulting in specialized legislation to:

• Lower injury rates - Young workers experience higher rates of injuries and fatalities at work compared to older workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for injuries were 50% higher among workers under 25.

• Ensure continuous workforce development - In 2022, there were 19.4 million workers under 25 in the US. Safeguarding them creates competent, safety-conscious workforces who can effectively contribute to business growth, the economy, and the future.

• Uphold legal and ethical obligations - Creating safe working conditions for employees, especially the youth, aligns with corporate social responsibility goals. Failure to do this can result in legal penalties and damage to the company's reputation.

Regulatory Obligations for Employers

All countries require employers to uphold occupational health and safety through risk assessments, adequate resources, and appropriate training and supervision. Here are examples of young worker health and safety requirements in different countries:

Common Pitfalls

Many continue to encounter difficulties in managing young employees, due to unfounded assumptions about the demographic and pervasive managerial challenges. Get to know the most common ones:

• Underestimating inexperience - Managers sometimes overlook this fact and forgo the need to explain obvious dangers or reasons behind a rule. Remember, this is possibly their first job, so they genuinely don’t know what they don’t know.

• Failing to engage them - Without clear communication channels, young workers might hesitate to report issues. As a result, problems remain unaddressed.

• Using overly technical training materials - Young people won’t read anything too technical or text-heavy. These materials should be easy to understand so they can be easily relatable and digestible, especially for those balancing work and school.

• Ignoring child labor laws - Some companies may inadvertently violate federal and state laws, due to ignorance or time pressure. Staying informed is crucial, not just for compliance but also to safeguard young people in the workplace.

Best Practices in Young Worker Safety

Addressing the unique vulnerabilities of young workers—such as inexperience, communication barriers, and susceptibility to peer pressure—is vital in promoting a safer workplace environment. These best practices ensure they thrive and grow:

Conduct workplace orientation and facility tours.

Introduce young workers to the work environment through guided tours that highlight hazardous areas, off-limit zones, and emergency exits. This familiarizes them with their workplace layout and safety protocols.

Deliver comprehensive safety training programs.

Beyond the initial orientation, provide ongoing training that reinforces essential safety protocols. Periodic refresher courses also keep safety top of mind. Establish situational safety awareness through:

• Hands-on practice with return demonstrations

• Interactive sessions and quizzes

• Digital resources tailored to individual learning styles and languages

Offer mentorship and active supervision.

Pair young workers with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and real-time feedback. Supervisors should actively monitor their mentees and immediately correct unsafe actions.

Open clear communication channels for full engagement.

Encourage young workers to speak up —ask questions, report hazards, and voice safety concerns—without fear of reprisal. Aside from holding regular safety meetings where young personnel can participate openly, establish anonymous reporting systems to eliminate hesitancy or the possibility of harassment or discrimination.

Minimize distractions and manage workload.

Every workplace has inherent hazards. Even corporate workstations present risks such as trips, ergonomic injuries, and respiratory problems due to poor ventilation, making office safety as vital as remote and high-risk work.

When hazards can’t be removed entirely, implement administrative controls such as:

• Age-appropriate job assignments

• Limited restrictions on hazardous equipment and areas

• Work-rest schedules

• Written, easy-to-understand safe work procedures

• Direct and frequent supervision

• Regular safety meetings and discussions

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

Because administrative controls are still inadequate, young workers should receive the correct PPE to mitigate the consequences of potential risks while on the job. This also instills safety habits at the beginning of their career, which they will be able to bring with them in the future.

Foster a respectful and supportive workplace culture.

Young workers bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and energy to the workplace. When they feel valued and respected, it increases active engagement, improving their contributions and overall retention.

• Actively solicit their input.

• Acknowledge their contributions and give constructive feedback.

• Enforce a clear code of conduct that emphasizes respect, inclusivity, and zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, or ageism.