Derrik was a 16 year old student when he was given a walk-behind trenching machine to guide through through a field. 

Derrik was earning school credit with the Battle Ground School District for his work off site with the construction company Rotschy.

With no training or oversight, Derrik was severely injured by the machine, eventually losing both of his legs. He survived the work accident, and is now a senior in high school. 

His story highlights big questions about work based learning programs at Washington schools, and whose job it is to make sure that teens exploring the workforce are kept safe. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Guests:

• Lizz Giordano, investigative reporter with Cascade PBS

Relevant Links:

• ‘Beyond failure’: WA teen loses legs at school-based work program

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