Causes, nature, and outcomes of work-related injuries to adolescents working at farm and non-farm jobs in rural Minnesota.
BACKGROUND
Although there are many studies on working adolescents, information on youth who simultaneously hold jobs on both a farm and in other sectors of the economy is lacking.


METHODS
Six high schools in rural Minnesota were evaluated for adolescent work practices and injury incidence. A 20-page self-administered survey was administered to students.


RESULTS
A total of 2,250 students completed the survey, representing 92% of the student body. Students that simultaneously hold both farm and non-farm jobs have a significantly higher proportion of injuries. However, annual injury rates are highest for those working in non-farm only (26.7/100 full-time equivalents, FTEs) or farm only (25.9/100 FTEs) employment when compared with those working simultaneously in farm and non-farm jobs (21.9/100 FTEs).


CONCLUSIONS
Many rural students employed simultaneously on farm and non-farm jobs work long hours and are at significant risk of work-related injury. The annual injury rates we estimated are higher than those reported in previous studies.
Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Parke065@umn.edu
Kaizad
K
Munshi
David L
DL
Parker
Hansen
H
Bannerman-Thompson
Deborah
D
Merchant
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012424:Rural Population; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology