Texas Governor Signs Legislation for Teen Workplace Safety Training in School
House Bill 2010 encourages schools to include workplace safety training and information in the curriculum of appropriate courses
The AIHA has announced it worked with Texas State House Representative Dr. Greg Bonnen (R-24) to introduce House Bill 2010, which encourages school districts and educators to include workplace safety training information in the curriculum of appropriate courses for students in grades 7-12.
"This new law represents both a challenge and opportunity for Texas and the Nation," said AIHA's immediate Past-President Steven E. Lacey, PhD, CIH, CSP, who testified before Texas State House and Senate committees in support of this bill. "The challenge is to now work with schools and school districts to implement the law - and for other States to enact similar legislation. The opportunity is for AIHA's members to make real progress towards improving teen workplace health and safety by working with policymakers - just like all six of our Texas Local Sections did to help move this bill into law," Dr. Lacey continued in the release.
AIHA has previously partnered with NIOSH to develop the Safety Matters program, which raises awareness among teens about workplace health and safety, and provides basic skills that contribute to a safe work environment.
80% of teens are currently in the workforce, and research shows that teens are twice as likely to be injured at work compared to adults.
"We are thrilled with this victory in Texas, but civic engagement does not end with the passage of a law. The work towards ending teen injuries and fatalities in the workplace has really just begun," stated Dr. Lacey. "Now we must ensure that this law is implemented. Workplace health and safety professionals in Texas, in collaboration with AIHA, must now turn this initial effort into action."