Sacramento – Assembly Concurrent Resolution 101, authored by Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson (D-Oakland) was recently enacted to proclaim May 2008 as "Safe Jobs for Youth Month."

"This summer, many teenagers will be heading into summer jobs and may not be aware of the need for work permits, of potential hazards on their jobs, or of the labor laws designed to protect youth in the workplace," stated Swanson.  "The purpose of 'Safe Jobs for Youth Month' is to educate our young people and our employer community about the workplace rights of our young workers."

According to government data, eighty percent (80%) of teenagers report holding jobs before completing high school.  Unfortunately, every year approximately 160,000 teenagers are injured on the job; and approximately 50 teenagers are killed on the job.

Teenagers are at higher risk for injury than adults due to, among other reasons, inexperience, lack of training and supervision, and physical development.  Studies and surveys reveal that young workers do not always receive adequate health and safety training at work and some teenagers work in violation of labor laws regulating issues such as hours of work, hazardous occupations, and work permit requirements.

The objective of Safe Jobs for Youth Month is to protect young workers from injury by raising community awareness about child labor and workplace health and safety issues.  Safe Jobs for Youth Month is supported by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educators, parents, employers, job trainers, labor unions and others.

More information on Safe Jobs for Youth Month, including resources for young workers and employers, may be found at the following website: http://www.youngworkers.org/safe_month/index.html

ACR 101 passed the Assembly on a bipartisan 71-0 vote and the Senate by a 38-0 margin.  ACR 101 is supported by, among others, the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at UC Berkeley, and the Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (LOSH) at UCLA.