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.