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As teens across the country pick up summer jobs for extra cash, Suzuki Law Offices has issued an important reminder — when it comes to safety, not all work is equal.
Suzuki issued a recent study analyzing workplace deaths among United States teenagers ages 16-19 across various job roles.
“Entering into the world of work and earning your own money is an exciting time for many teenagers,” said attorney Richard Suzuki. “However, it’s important to understand the risks involved with certain occupations, particularly those that involve physical labor. This data also serves as a call to action for these professions, urging them to prioritize the protection of younger members of our society.”
Here’s what the study found on these dangerous jobs.
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Most dangerous jobs for teenagers
Data on average death rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics over the course of 2020-2022 were compared with teen employment figures to determine the death rate per 5,000 teenage workers in each profession.
The study found that heavy vehicle service technician was the most dangerous career path for U.S. teenagers, with carpenter taking the place of second most dangerous and construction laborers and security guards tied for third.
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1. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics: 2.5 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Involving inspecting, maintaining and repairing vehicles and machinery, this occupation was the deadliest of the bunch. Between 2020-2022, three out of the 6,000 teenagers employed by the industry died on the job.
2. Carpenters: 1.4 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
While it is a broad field, carpentry by the study’s definition focuses mainly on designing, constructing, installing and repairing furniture. Employing about 28,670 teens yearly, the field averages eight teenage deaths per year.
3. Construction laborers, security guards and gambling surveillance officers: 0.96 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
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These two fields were tied for third place. Construction laborers work at construction sites – they may build, clean and move project materials and take care of debris and hazards. Forty eight teenage deaths were recorded in the field during the years studied.
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers work to ensure the safety of people and properties, including casinos, and ensure any applicable procedures are followed correctly. An average of three teenage deaths took place each year in this field.
4. Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations: 0.7 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Including animal breeders, farm laborers and forest and conservation workers, this industry employs an average of 71,333 teenagers yearly, with 30 teenage deaths recorded between 2020-2022.
5. Construction and extraction occupations: 0.51 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
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At fifth place, the number of teenage construction and extraction workers including painters, roofers and electricians averages 194,330 teenagers a year, with around 20 teenage deaths annually.
6. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers: 0.49 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Between 2020-2022, the deaths of 17 teenage driver/sales workers and truck drivers were reported, an average of 5.7 each year.
7. Other protective service workers: 0.24 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Even beyond working as a security guard or gambling officer, protective service jobs are some of the most dangerous for young workers. This field recorded 11 teenage deaths in the years studied out of 219,000 teenagers.
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8. Installation, maintenance and repair occupations, protective service occupations and miscellaneous agricultural workers: 0.23 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Tied for eighth, these fields cover a wide range of areas including home repair, farm work, protective service and more. Each field averages 0.23 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
9. Building and ground cleaning and maintenance occupations: 0.21 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Involving cleaning tasks, construction and general maintenance, this field averaged 0.21 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers.
10. Transportation and material moving occupations: 0.14 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers
Finally, the 10th most dangerous industry for teenage workers is transportation and material moving. Workers in this field may handle transporting and arranging freight, stock and other materials. The field averaged 0.14 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers 2020-2022.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.