Why Teach young workers about Job Safety and Health? Millions of teens in the United states work, most of which begin to work by the time they finish High School. Even though work provides numerous amounts of benefits for the average person, it can also be dangerous. Every year approximately 84,000 youths are injured while on the job, some serious enough to receive emergency room treatment. In fact teens are injured at a much higher rate than adults. Reason being they are just simply inexperienced, and unfamiliar with the workforce. But despite all the high injury rates, safety at work is usually the last thing on their minds. Teens most positive qualities - energy, enthusiasm, and a need for a challenge, can result in their taking on tasks they are not qualified for, is what usually results in these unneeded injuries. Injuries that could have been avoided by simply asking questions or making demands to their employers. 
Health and safety education is an important component of injury prevention for working teens. While workplace-specific training is most critical, young people also need the opportunity to learn and practice general health, and safety skills that they will carry with them from job to job. Teens should be able to recognize hazards in any workplace. They should understand how hazards can be controlled, what to do in an emergency, what rights they have on the job, and how to speak up effectively when problems arise at work.
                                                                                                                                                                                    

Know Your Rights on the job!  
By law your employer must provide:
* A safe and healthful workplace
* Proper training for the job
* Appropriate clothing and equipment for the job
* Payment for medical care in case of injury or illness on the job & benefits if you become permenatly disabled.
* Payment of at least the minimum wage
* Half hour meal break after no more than 5 hours, 10 minute break for each 4 hours.
You also have the right to:
* Report safety problems to Cal/OSHA
* Work without racial or sexual harrassment
* Refuse to work if the job is dangerous to your life or health.
* Join or organize a union
* To be treated with respect
* To speak up!!- It is illegal for your employer to fire or punish you for reporting a workplace problem