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BACKGROUND: In 2010, young workers, defined as workers under age 25, made up 13% of the workforce nationwide and 11% in Massachusetts. Since 1993, the Massachusetts Teens at Work Project (TAW) has tracked work-related injuries to teens under age 18. In 2010, TAW expanded data collection to include injuries to young adult workers ages 18-24.
METHODS: Massachusetts workers’ compensation (WC) claims for injuries resulting in ≥ 5 lost work days were analyzed to characterize injuries to young adults in 2010 by age, gender, nature of injury and industry. Rates were calculated by age and gender. Cases were stratified into two age groups (18-19, 20-24) for analysis. Findings were compared with TAW data on injury among workers ages 15-17 (teens) during 2006-2010.
RESULTS: There were 2,724 WC claims for injuries to young adult workers in 2010. Males accounted for 60% of the injuries. The majority (87%) were sustained by workers ages 20-24. The overall injury rate was 111/10,000FTEs. The rate for males (112/10,000 FTEs) was higher than that for females (84/10,000 FTEs). The rate for workers ages 20-24 (112/10,000) exceeded that for 18-19 year olds (103/10,000 FTEs.) The leading injuries were sprains /strains (49%); followed by cuts (16%); contusions, crushings, and bruises (12%); and fractures (6%). Seven industries accounted for 54% of the injuries; food services, administrative and support services, nursing and residential care, construction, food and beverage stores, ambulatory health care, and hospitals. The overall injury rate for young adult workers exceeded the average annual rate for teens (58/10,000 FTES). Compared to teens, young adults were more likely to suffer strains/ sprains and less likely to sustain cuts and burns. Injured young adults were employed in a broader range of industries: the leading seven industries for teens accounted for 68% of the injuries. While many of the leading industries were similar, proportionately more young adults were employed in ambulatory health care (5%) and employment services (4%).
CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, young adults had higher rates of work-related injuries than teens. Older young adults appear at highest risk. Analyses underway comparing injury rates by industry across age groups should provide additional insights. To date in MA, most young worker health and safety prevention efforts have focused on teens. New strategies are needed to reduce work-related injuries among young adults, including efforts to address hazards in ambulatory care and temporary employment.