Cooper S P, Rothstein M A
Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health 77225, USA.
South Med J. 1995 May;88(5):550-4. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199505000-00009.
This report represents the first attempt to assemble existing data from a variety of sources regarding children less than 18 years of age in the work force in Texas. These data include the frequency of detected violations of child labor laws, reports of injuries to the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission, and work-related deaths as ascertained from death certificates. More than 1,000 minors were detected as being illegally employed in Texas each year since 1986 and nearly 1,100 work-related injuries in children 18 years of age and younger were reported to the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission in 1991. A review of Texas death certificates from 1980 to 1990 revealed 125 work-related fatalities among children. The leading cause of death was motor vehicle injuries, followed by injuries from machinery (usually agricultural machinery). The magnitude and severity of occupational illnesses in working children are unknown. Because of physiologic differences in size, metabolism, and absorption, children may be especially susceptible to work-related injury and illness. Health and safety data on working children in Texas, as in most other places, are fragmented and incomplete. These data are needed to identify children at high risk of injuries and illnesses, to target prevention programs, and to identify areas for additional legislation. More rigorous enforcement of current legislation is also needed.
本报告首次尝试整合来自各种渠道的现有数据，这些数据涉及得克萨斯州18岁以下劳动力中的儿童情况。这些数据包括被发现违反童工法的频率、向得克萨斯州工人赔偿委员会报告的伤害情况，以及从死亡证明中确定的与工作相关的死亡情况。自1986年以来，每年在得克萨斯州都有1000多名未成年人被发现非法就业，1991年有近1100起18岁及以下儿童与工作相关的伤害事件报告给了得克萨斯州工人赔偿委员会。对1980年至1990年得克萨斯州死亡证明的审查显示，儿童中有125起与工作相关的死亡事件。主要死因是机动车伤害，其次是机械伤害（通常是农业机械）。在职儿童职业疾病的规模和严重程度尚不清楚。由于儿童在体型、新陈代谢和吸收方面存在生理差异，他们可能特别容易受到与工作相关的伤害和疾病的影响。与其他大多数地方一样，得克萨斯州在职儿童的健康和安全数据零散且不完整。需要这些数据来确定受伤和患病风险高的儿童，确定预防项目的目标，并确定需要进一步立法的领域。还需要更严格地执行现行立法。
