Maine DOL says more teens are being injured at work

Augusta, ME — The number of injuries among teen workers in Maine doubled over a recent 10-year period, data from the state’s Department of Labor shows.

According to MDOL, 325 workers between the ages of 14 and 17 were injured last year – twice as many as the 2012 total of 162.

A department press release adds that Maine has seen an increase in violations for employing teen workers without a work permit and for allowing young employees to work beyond hourly restrictions. Between this past April and June, the department also investigated three incidents involving teens who were injured while doing jobs that are prohibited for minors.

Applications for minor work permits increased 75% from 2017 to 2022. So far this year, MDOL has received more than 4,700 minor work permit applications. Of those, about 200 were denied because they were for a hazardous occupation not allowed under the law.

MDOL has created a workforce resource webpage for youth workers and their support networks. It also has a Maine Laws Governing the Employment of Minors webpage to assist youth and employers with any questions they may have. Both pages include information about work permits, legal work hours for youth, prohibited occupations, and safety and health.