Adolescent work patterns and work-related injury incidence in rural Minnesota.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been many studies on working youth in the United States, we have noted none which have provided a broad picture of adolescent work practices in a rural community. METHODS: Six high schools in rural Minnesota were evaluated for adolescent work practices. Schools ranged in size from 173 to 525 students in grades 9 through 12. A 20 page self-administered survey examining work practices was administered to students. RESULTS: A total of 2,250 students completed the survey, representing 92% of the student body. Twenty-eight percent of students lived on a farm. Approximately 45% of the male students and slightly more than 21% of the females were involved in farm work. Only 2.6% of students were injured during this 8-month time period in farm-related activities, and 5.1% were injured doing non-farm work. Many students reported working long hours. CONCLUSIONS: Work represents a serious problem for rural youth. These data are significant in the context of national policy discussion concerning the failure of the Fair Labor Standards Act to regulate the agricultural environment.

Causes, nature, and outcomes of work-related injuries to adolescents working at farm and non-farm jobs in rural Minnesota.

BACKGROUND: Although there are many studies on working adolescents, information on youth who simultaneously hold jobs on both a farm and in other sectors of the economy is lacking. METHODS: Six high schools in rural Minnesota were evaluated for adolescent work practices and injury incidence. A 20-page self-administered survey was administered to students. RESULTS: A total of 2,250 students completed the survey, representing 92% of the student body. Students that simultaneously hold both farm and non-farm jobs have a significantly higher proportion of injuries. However, annual injury rates are highest for those working in non-farm only (26.7/100 full-time equivalents, FTEs) or farm only (25.9/100 FTEs) employment when compared with those working simultaneously in farm and non-farm jobs (21.9/100 FTEs). CONCLUSIONS: Many rural students employed simultaneously on farm and non-farm jobs work long hours and are at significant risk of work-related injury. The annual injury rates we estimated are higher than those reported in previous studies.