• The federal Occupational and Safety Health Administration is responsible for enforcing regulations and standards in the workplace that make it safe for teens, as well as all employees, to work. As thousands of teens are injured on the job annually, OSHA says employers need to take extra precautions for them. Another Department of Labor agency, the Wage and Hour Division, regulates the number of hours youths less than 18 years old can work during a week.
  
  

Laws Enforced

• OSHA regulates and enforces the Occupational Safety and Health Act with 29 sections relating to workplace safety. They include reporting work injuries, privacy and safety standards. Employers also are required to comply with state laws on teen workers.
  
  

Hazardous Jobs Prohibited

• OSHA does not permit teens under age 18 to work in jobs that are considered hazardous. These include manufacturing, mining and construction. Teens 14 and 15 years old may work in fast-food restaurants if certain conditions relating to cooking equipment are met. The youths may not work with open flames or operate deep-frying equipment unless the basket raises and lowers automatically.
  
  

Extra Precautions

• As teen workers are more vulnerable to injuries, OSHA says employers should use extra caution with them. Teens should be trained in how to recognize dangerous situations, such as fires, accidents and violent situations. Employers also need to explain to them what they should do if they are injured at work. OSHA also says employers should assign teens to supervisors who recognize safe work habits and who will supervise them. Safety should be stressed.
  
  

Equipment

• If a teen worker operates equipment, the employer should make sure it is legal and safe for the teen to use. Equipment teens can't use, such as forklifts, should be labeled as such. Teens should be thoroughly trained in any equipment they are allowed to use.
  
  

No Drugs Allowed

• Employers should implement a drug-free workplace. OSHA says research indicates that "adolescents who work longer hours may be more at risk for alcohol and drug abuse." A drug-free workplace sends a "signal to young workers that in order to work, they must be drug free," OSHA says on its website.