Most workers under 18 are prohibited from operating forklifts, according to a new Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) bulletin.

US federal regulations prohibited most workers under the age of 18 in non-agricultural employment from operating forklifts, the bulletin said.

"Young people are more likely to be injured in the workplace due to their lack of experience and maturity," OSHA administrator John Henshaw said. "This bulletin is one way to remind employers of the standards that are in place to protect working teens from being seriously injured or killed. Nearly 70 teens lose their lives in workplace accidents each year."

The bulletin details the Fair Labor Standards Act, which contains the age laws, and says OSHA's Powered Industrial Truck standard requires operators 18 or older to be trained and certified to operate forklifts.

Additional information on child labour laws is available at www.youthrules.dol.gov.