Occupational injury rates and severity among minor,

young-adult, and adult workers — Washington

State, 2005–2007

Eric Jalonen, MPH

WA State Department of Labor and Industries

Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention Program (SHARP)

Phone: 360-902-6751 Email: Eric.Jalonen@lni.wa.gov

Disclaimer:

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Topics of Presentation:

1. Brief history of regulations for young worker

2. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

3. Differences in injury rates and injury severity by age population within Washington State from 2005 - 2007

History of Young Workers

Fish cutters, Maine

1830s: laws restricting young workers

1904: National Child Labor Committee

1908-1912: Lewis Hines photographs child labor conditions

Replacing empty bobbins at Bibb Mill No. 1; Macon, GA

Six-year-old cotton picker, Comanche County Oklahoma

Fair Labor Standard Act Passed in 1938 Declared constitutional

1941 Set:

– Age limits– Wage requirements– Hour restrictions– Hazardous occupations

Lumber yard, Burlington, Vermont

Newsies: Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. He jumps on and off moving trolley cars at the risk of his life. St. Louis, Missouri.

Washington’s Regulations Under 18 years old:

– Work permit

– Parent and school permission

– Restricted job duties

– Restricted job hours

– Wage requirements View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. South Pittston, Pennsylvania

Bowling alley boys, New Haven, Connecticut

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Three divisions:− State OSHA Program− Insurance Services (Workers’ Compensation)− Employment Standards

Prevention Activities− Consultation services− Identification of new hazards− Targeted prevention programs

− Injured Young Worker Speaker Series

− Social marketing campaigns

Young Worker Injuries in Washington

From 1988-1991– 17,800 claims for 11-17 year olds– 89 % of claims between ages 16-17 years old– Lacerations most common type of injury– 3 occupational fatalities

16-17 year olds accepted claims rate almost double that of 18 and older.1

– Males higher rates than females

Young Worker Injury Information Nationally 17% of workforce between ages

16-24 years old, 2005-2007. Average 572 occupational deaths 1998-

20072

– Fatality rate 3.6 per 100,000 FTEs (15-24 year olds)

7.9 million nonfatal injuries treated in ED– 5.0 ED-treated injuries per 100 FTEs– Highest rates among 18 and 19 year old

workers

SHARP Research

Injury rates and injury severity for young workers compared to older workers

Methods– WA State Workers’ Compensation Data– American Community Survey

• Select Industries• Reside and work in Washington

Constru

ctio

n

Resta

urant/F

ood Ser

vice

Groce

ry S

tore

s

Amuse

men

t/Gam

bling/R

ecre

atio

n

Depar

tmen

t/Dis

count S

tore

s

All Oth

er In

dustrie

s

All In

dustrie

s Com

bined

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Results: Accepted Claims Rate by Industry and Age, Washing-ton 2005-2007

16-17

18-21

22-24

25-44

45-64

Industry

Rat

e p

er 1

0,00

0 F

TE

s

Age (Years)

Constru

ctio

n

Resta

urant/F

ood Ser

vice

Groce

ry S

tore

s

Amuse

men

t/Gam

bling/R

ecre

atio

n

Depar

tmen

t/Dis

count S

tore

s

All Oth

er In

dustrie

s

All In

dustrie

s Com

bined

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Results: Compensable Claims Rate by Industry and Age, Washington 2005-2007

16-17

18-21

22-24

25-44

45-64

Industry

Rat

e p

er 1

0,00

0 F

TE

s

Age (Years)

Constru

ctio

n

Resta

urant/F

ood Ser

vice

Groce

ry S

tore

s

Amuse

men

t/Gam

bling/R

ecre

atio

n

Depar

tmen

t/Dis

count S

tore

s

All Oth

er In

dustrie

s

All In

dustrie

s Com

bined

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Median Time Loss Duration by Industry and Age, Washington 2005-2007

16-17

18-21

22-24

25-44

45-64

Industry

Day

s

Age (Years)

Const

ruct

ion

Resta

uran

ts/F

ood

Servic

e

Groce

ry S

tore

s

Other

Am

usem

ent

Depar

tmen

t/Disc

ount

Sto

res

All Oth

er In

dust

ries

All Ind

ustri

es C

ombin

ed$0

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000Median State Funded Claims Cost by Age and Industry, Washington 2005-2007

16-17

18-21

22-24

25-44

45-64

Industry

Age (Years)

16-17 18-21 22-24 25-44 45-640

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Percentage of State Funded Compensable Claims Costs for Age Group by Industry, Washington 2005-2007

Department/Discount Stores

Other Amusement

Grocery Stores

Restaurants/Food Service

Construction

Age Group (Years)

Per

cen

t

Limitations

Denominator data

Self-insured cost information

Current Projects:

Research into causes/effects of injured young workers.– Interviews– Case narratives– Injured Young

Worker Speaker Series

Future Research Topics

Effectiveness of restricted duties

Alternative outreach activities– Social marketing and gaming

Social behaviors of young workers– Are they more likely involved in risk taking

behaviors than nonworking peers?

References:

1. Miller, ME., & Kaufman, JD. (1998). Occupational injuries among adolescents in Washington state, 1988-1991. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 34, 121-132.

2. Estes, CR., Jackson, LL., & Castillo, DN. (2010). Occupational injuries and deaths among younger workers---United States, 1998-2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(15), 449-455.

Acknowledgements

Dave Bonauto Darrin Adams Eddy Rauser Xenofon Moniodis Todd Schoonover Jena Pratt Lisa Pogue Fabiola Gonzalez

Final Thoughts Focus prevention

efforts on young workers between ages 16 – 24.

Target new workers within construction industry to help lower rates and claims cost.