Help Keep Teens Safe on the Job
The following article was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Over half of Wisconsin’s teenagers have a job, and most of those will work in the summer. Work can be healthy for youth, helping them gain confidence and learn new skills, while contributing to the success of local businesses.
With Wisconsin’s youth workforce on the rise, however, it’s important for adults to keep an eye out for young workers’ health and safety. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there was a sharp increase in child labor violations between 2015 and 2025. Nationwide, the number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws increased from 1,012 children in fiscal year 2015 to 5,272 in fiscal year 2025, with twice as many children illegally employed in hazardous occupations in 2025 compared to 2015. This rise has occurred despite a decrease in federal workplace safety inspections and enforcement, which means there are likely many children working in unsafe or unfair workplaces whose experiences are not included in the statistics.
In a press release this February, Governor Evers wrote, “We have a responsibility to make sure kids who are working are protected from exploitation, predatory employer practices, and being subjected to hazardous or illegal working conditions, and that’s a responsibility we must take seriously.” In this release, the governor was responding not just to the statistical trend, but to a specific case; thousands of child labor law violations were found in a Wisconsin Burger King franchise organization.
Time and again, young workers tend to be protected only after an adult speaks up for them.
Trust common sense and be on the lookout
A hazardous job for youth is defined as one that asks someone under 18 to perform tasks that are dangerous or inappropriate for them or requires them to work a schedule that is not compatible with their developmental and educational needs.
Even if you’re not teaching this summer, you can still help keep young workers safe. Do you visit places where kids or teens work? If you happen to see young people in a situation that might not be safe, it is important to know what to do or what to look for.
Some examples of illegal child labor practices are:
- Anyone under age 18 working in meat packing or slaughtering
- Anyone under age 16 employed in rooms where manufacturing, processing, storage, or warehousing takes place
- Youth under age 18 working in a tight or enclosed space
- Youth assigned to use powered tools, saws, slicers, or mills
- Roofing or working up high
- Any assignment for youth involving demolition
- Youth under 18 assigned to operate a powered vehicle (like a forklift)
- Youth driving any vehicle at night, or riding outside the cab of a vehicle
How to Report
You can learn more about hazardous jobs for kids on DWD’s website, but you don’t need to be an expert. If you have reason to think someone under age 18 is not safe at work, please report the situation to OSHA. For other types of child labor concerns, contact the DWD’s Equal Rights Division.
Raise awareness
No one’s first job should be their last, and no one’s story about their summer should be, “I got hurt at work.” Please share this information with youth and caring adults. If you have any questions, you can reach out to the Wisconsin Occupational Health and Safety program at dhsocchealth@wi.gov.