Every year about 70 adolescents die from work injuries in the United States and approximately 70,000 are injured severely enough to require treatment in hospital emergency rooms. Most of these injuries are preventable.

To address this issue in California, the Commission convened a statewide Study Group on Young Workers' Heath and Safety. The Study Group brings together key representatives from government agencies and statewide organizations that are involved with California youth employment and education issues.

The purpose of the Study Group is to identify potential strategies to:

• Reduce work-related injuries and illnesses among youth in the California workforce
• Foster awareness and skills in safety and health that will remain with youths throughout their working lives, and allow them to take an active role in shaping safe work environments
• Promote positive, health employment for youth

The Study Group issued a report in March 1998 entitled "Protecting and Educating California's Young Workers" containing recommendations for school-based strategies, strengthening the role of work permits, workplace initiatives, strategies for enforcement agencies, and raising public awareness.

In its continuing effort to improve education and protections for young workers, the Commission will contract with the labor Occupational Health Program to explore the following three areas recommended by the Study Group:

• California Resource Center on Young Worker Health and Safety - A Resource Center to collect and provide information and material

• Public Awareness Campaign - A campaign to focus attention on young workers' rights, protections and responsibilities

• Series of Joint Meetings of Enforcement Agencies - Convene and facilitate a series of two to four meetings for various enforcement agencies that protect young workers to explore the strategies developed by the Youth Work Group.