Employers Urged to Strengthen Safety Training for Teen and Young Workers
Washington is urging employers to provide clear training and protections to safeguard teen and young workers from preventable job hazards.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- May 05, 2025
Teen and young workers remain a vulnerable population in the workforce, often facing serious safety risks due to limited experience and a lack of job-specific training. State officials are urging employers to strengthen their training programs and review legal requirements to better protect younger workers, especially as the summer job season approaches.
In Washington, the minimum legal age to work is 14, with some exceptions for agricultural labor. Youth as young as 12 may hand-harvest berries, bulbs, cucumbers, and spinach during weeks when school is not in session. However, employers must comply with both state and federal child labor laws when hiring anyone under 18.
“Teen workers often have unique learning needs and limited exposure to workplace hazards,” said a representative from Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries. “Employers need to provide targeted training and clearly define prohibited duties to reduce injury risks.”
Workers under 18 are prohibited from performing certain hazardous tasks, and employers are required to understand and communicate those restrictions. For older youth between the ages of 18 and 25, who are no longer covered by prohibited duty rules, the risks remain high. These workers still require job-specific training, hazard awareness education, and access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), as mandated by workplace safety laws.
To support safe employment practices, the state offers a variety of resources for employers, supervisors, and teen workers. These include safety policy guidelines, training materials, and campaign tools under Washington’s Teen Worker Safety Campaign.
For more information, including requirements, training resources, and age-specific employment rules, visit: Teen and Young Worker Safety – WA L&I
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.