Working Teens at Risk

Ken Margolin

Contributor

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A disturbing article in Yahoo News the other day, described a serious problem with high school aged youths put in dangerous work situations. According to the piece, many teens between the ages of 14 and 18, were assigned to work with dangerous tools, with inadequate training, allowed to work excessive hours, or permitted to work with no adult supervision. Many of the violations noted were in violation of federal regulations. Of particular concern was a practice I have witnessed personally in many small shops or eateries - that of having young people, girls more than boys, working alone in jobs involving handling cash, thus exposing them to the risk of robbery. Adequate training and adult supervision would seem to be a minimum amount of care owed to working teenagers.