Health and safety awareness for working teens: developing a successful, statewide program for educating teen workers

Adolescents suffer higher rates of work-related injuries than do adults. A school-based education program can provide young workers with information and skills that will reduce their risk. A successful program in Washington State, Health and Safety Awareness for Working Teens, adapted existing curricula to meet state needs. The curricula featured interactive exercises designed to engage students with a variety of learning styles. In-person trainings at teacher conferences proved the most effective way to disseminate the curricula across the state. Evaluations showed that student knowledge increased after exposure to the curricula and that teachers found the curricula to be useful and easy to use.