The first-month hazard: Why teenage employees face higher injury risk in their first weeks on the job

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A first job is a rite of passage for many teenagers—a part of coming of age and transitioning into adulthood. New research from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences (OccHealthSci) and the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program (OR-FACE) suggests that for many teenage workers the risks of workplace injury is higher in the first weeks of a new job.

To arrive at their conclusion, the research team analyzed data from Oregon’s Workers’ Compensation Division and the National Institue for Occupational Safety and Health’s Employed Labor Force Query System. The research was published in the Workplace Health & Safety journal and examined ten years of data—over 18,000 first-month injury claims from Oregon’s workers’ compensation system between 2013 and 2022. The findings highlight workplace safety gaps that put Oregon’s youngest workers at disproportionate risk.

The research team and paper co-authors included OccHealthSci Associate Professor and leader of the OR-FACE program David Hurtado and OR-FACE staff members Rachel Madjlesi and Jacqueline Boyd.

What the data tells us

According to Hurtado, teenage workers represented just under three percent of all workers’ compensation claims during the ten-year study period. And while that number is low, Hurtado points out that the data also tell us that teenagers account for between eight and nine percent of first-month injuries, which is nearly three times their representation in the workforce.

In the paper, “Occupational Injuries During the First Month of Tenure Among Teen Workers in Oregon: a 10-Year Examination of Workers’ Compensation Claims,” the authors point out that the data reflect the reality of teenage employment: many work in high-risk industries like construction, agriculture, and food service, often in entry-level positions that expose them to unfamiliar equipment and hazardous conditions.

Why the first month matters

The elevated risk for teenage workers during the first weeks at a new job stems from several converging factors. New employees, particularly teenagers, often receive inadequate safety training, according to the researchers. Furthermore, the stress of adapting to new work environments and a lack of professional skills can impair decision-making, leading to unnecessary risk-taking or skipping safety procedures.

Communication may have a role to play as well, the paper explains. Teenage workers frequently feel intimidated about speaking up due to their limited experience, fear of appearing incompetent, or concern about potential backlash from coworkers.

The impact of the (O[yes]) training

In 2017, the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]) launched an online safety awareness training program specifically designed for teenage workers. The course is free and covers essential topics including hazard recognition, workers' rights and responsibilities, and the importance of speaking up about safety concerns.

The launch of the training having come in the middle of the study period provided researchers with a natural experiment: they could compare injury rates before and after the training became available. Since its launch, Oregon OSHA has issued over 6,500 certificates of completion, though the exact number of teens who completed the program is unknown.

Mixed results reveal a complex challenge

According to Hurtado, the study’s findings were nuanced. While the overall first-month injury rate for teenage workers remained essentially unchanged after the O[yes] training launched, the proportion of first-month injuries among teen workers relative to all age groups declined significantly—a relative risk reduction of 12%.

"Teens were about as likely to get hurt in their first month as before the training became available, but those early injuries now make up a smaller slice of all teen claims,” said Hurtado. "That tells me something’s shifting, either how injuries happen or how they’re reported—and it’s a clear cue to double down on onboarding, mentoring, and close supervision in those first few weeks."

The broader implications

These findings highlight both progress and persistent challenges in workplace safety for young workers. The research underscores critical needs: better onboarding practices that include thorough safety instruction, improved communication channels that encourage young workers to speak up about hazards, and enhanced supervision during the critical first month of employment.

Looking forward

There is an urgent need to address the first-month injury risks among teenage workers. Early workplace injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences, potentially undermining a young person's confidence and future employment prospects.

This research from OccHealthSci and OPHP suggests that while safety training programs like O[yes] show promise, they represent just one piece of a larger puzzle. Comprehensive solutions must address not only worker education but also employer practices, workplace culture, and the unique developmental needs of teenage employees.

For employers, the message is clear: the first month of employment represents a critical window requiring enhanced attention to safety training, supervision, and support. For policymakers and safety advocates, the findings suggest that while progress is possible, protecting our youngest workers demands sustained, multi-faceted efforts that recognize both their vulnerability and their potential.

The goal isn't just preventing injuries—it's ensuring that a teenager's first job experience sets the foundation for a lifetime of safe, productive work.

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This research was published in the Workplace Health & Safety journal and supported by the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Program (OR-FACE), a part of the Oregon Occupational Public Health Program, a cooperative agreement funded by the National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) (Grant award 21U60OH012411). This work was also partly supported by the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University via funds from the Division of Consumer and Business Services of the State of Oregon (ORS 656.630).