In the past decade, the National Consumer League released a short list of the Five Worst Teen Jobs. The jobs were rated based on safety data that was complied over the course of many years. The National Consumers League stepped out and identified jobs that are dangerous and inappropriate for youth.

It is estimated that more than three million teenagers enter the workforce each year. The National Consumers League is dedicated to directing adolescents away from jobs that lack the protection of the law and are potentially dangerous. This list is designed to point teens, which are joining the workforce, in the right direction. It is important to have a job that is not only enjoyable, but protects you from harm.

Linda F. Goldner, President of the National Consumers League had this to say, “The jobs on this list should be a red flag to parents and teens that there are safety concerns, she continued by saying, Any employment has the potential to be a great job or a dangerous job. It’s a tragedy when an after-school or summer job is a teen’s last job. The caution is well-deserved, given that every year an estimated 200,000 youth are injured on the job and more than 100 are killed.”

The National Consumers League List

At the top of the Five Worst Teen Jobs list are jobs that require a teenager to perform delivery work or other types of driving. For example this may include riding or operating on types of motorized equipment such as a forklift. This job can be very dangerous for an adolescent who has just received their license and lacks valuable driving experience.

The second job that is not recommended for a teenager is one that requires the youth to work alone in a cash-related business. This type of job may be as a cashier at a convenience store, gas station or a fast food restaurant. This job can be very dangerous, especially depending on the area that the cash-based business is in. This type of employment can be potentially hazardous if a situation, such as a robbery, would occur.

A teenager should stay away from jobs in which they are selling magazine subscriptions, candy or other consumer goods on the streets. This type of job can turn potentially dangerous if a youth has to sell goods in a strange neighborhood or across state lines in a distant city. It is important that a teenager feel comfortable and safe while performing their job duties.

When choosing a job make sure that you are working with a reputable employer. If you question your employer’s reputation, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints made against them.

Lastly, a teenager should not perform construction work which requires an adolescent to work in extreme heights and come into contact with electrical power. This type of job is dangerous for an adult, much less a teenager. It is important, before you start a new job, to be familiar with the tools and machinery that you may be required to use. Make sure that your employer offers training on any equipment you are unfamiliar with.

In Conclusion

It is important for a teenager to know the law. There are several laws that protect a teenager in the workplace. For example, it is illegal for anyone under the age of eighteen to operate a power-driven slicer, commonly used in restaurants and grocery stores. Before you begin your new job make sure that you are receiving at least minimum wage and are scheduled to work during legal hours.

By following the previously mentioned suggestions you are ensuring that your first job experience is both fun and safe. Remember, that you should feel comfortable in your place of employment. If you are not comfortable performing a task or operating a machine tell your manager right away. This type of preventive behavior can greatly reduce the number of teenage work-related injuries and prevent work-place deaths from occurring.

About Amber: My name is Amber and I'm the Editor of TeenMoneyMakingIdeas.Com. As a teenager, I started making money when I was 13 years old. I had all the typical jobs that teenagers have such as working in fast food joints and retail stores. At 19, I formed my own cosmetics company. And shortly after that I started my own import business. Now I'm earning money online. Join me as I discuss all the ways I've discovered for teens to make money. Read more about me here.

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