Annually, 200,000 teens are injured on the job while 100,000 are injured severely enough to be sent to the emergency room.

This means that every six minutes, a teen somewhere in the U.S. is sent to the ER due to accidents on the job. Statistics also show seventy of these teens are killed each year, deaths which could be avoided if safer work practices were implemented on the job.

To draw more attention to teen fatalities and workplace injuries, Gov. Davis declared May the Safe Jobs for Teens Month. The California Partnership for Young Workers Health and Safety organization sponsors a campaign to raise awareness about worker’s rights and minors’ safety in communities throughout the state.

Because so many injuries occur, many California labor laws prevent teens from carrying out specific tasks on the job, such as driving a car, operating machinery like meat cutters, or climbing ladders.

Different working hours are also specified for teens of different age groups. For example, 14 and 15-year-olds are not allowed to work for more than 18 hours per week when school is in session. Sixteen and 17-year-olds may work for a maximum of 48 hours per week, but only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Students like 16-year-old Jonathan Daralos, freshman, who is in Art Contreras’ mobile electronics class, say that they receive instruction on safety procedures in class, and these procedures are carefully followed at school as well as on the job. Job experience is an elective course offered at the school, and the Regional Occupational Program also offers worker’s rights classes.

Madeline Wright, career counselor, who issues approximately 250 to 300 work permits each year, is often confronted by students who seek counsel on issues of sexual harassment, aggressive employers and unsafe or unlawful work environments.

“A lot of kids are just not aware of what their rights are,” said Wright.

“Before you start working, be aware of your rights and the working hazards; be strong enough to confront your employer if they ask you to do something illegal,” she added.

Employers sometimes take advantage of minors by working them overtime, underpaying them, or neglecting to inform teens about dangerous equipment procedures. Hazards can range from inhaling poisonous fumes from cleaning chemicals to lifting heavy objects.

“In my previous job, I was underpaid, and my employer promised me a raise that he never gave me,” said a senior who asked her name be withheld.

“Although they were aware of the law, they allowed me to serve alcoholic beverages,” the former waitress added.

Obtaining a work permit is the first step a teen takes towards protecting his or her rights. Looked upon by students as a hassle, the permit actually protects minors from potential abuse by employers.

By signing the Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit, the employee is bound to Minor’s Work Regulations that ensure at least minimum wage, legal work hours and safe work environments. In addition, the work permit also provides students with Worker’s Compensation, an insurance policy that pays for medical expenses in case of on-the-job accidents.

Seventeen-year-old John Sanchez, an eleventh grader who currently works in sales management, says that although he does not yet have a complete understanding of his worker’s rights as a minor, he believes that the work permit is important in enforcing labor laws.

“Work rights gives them [teens] a chance to find out what they’re supposed to do and what they can’t do,” said Sanchez. “The work permit is also for the employer to find out who you are and allows them to check up on you.”

If students feel like their rights have been violated, they can speak to counselors, teachers, or file complaints to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a nation wide organization that enforces worker’s rights. For more information on worker’s rights and OSHA check out www.youngworkers.org.