A metal fabrication company has recently been sentenced after being found guilty of health and safety failings that led to a young apprentice being injured by dangerous parts of a metal cutting guillotine during training.
The risks associated with young people in the workplace are increased because of their:
- Reduced capability.
- Limited awareness of risk.
- Inexperience.
The law defines a young person as anyone under 18. A child is anyone who has not yet reached the official minimum school leaving age (MSLA), typically the school year in which they turn 16 years old.
Whether you’re hiring a young person for the first time, or you have experience with work-experience students, you must carry out a risk assessment before allowing a young person to begin work. The outcomes of these risk assessments must be explained to the young person.
When completing the risk assessment, you should consider their physical and psychological capabilities, as well as factoring in medical conditions or learning disabilities.
Talk with the young person's parents, guardians or placement coordinators to get a better understanding of their abilities and attitude to work. If you currently employ young people, or routinely accept students for work experience, your existing arrangements may be suitable.
Lower-risk workplaces like retail stores or offices may be more familiar environments to young people, but don’t assume prior knowledge.
Additional, detailed precautions will be necessary for higher-risk workplaces, like warehouses, construction sites or engineering workshops.
This could be increased supervision and training, and personal protective equipment suited to their size and ability. Keep parents or guardians informed about the risks involved and the steps you’ve taken to mitigate them.
Some young people are more mature than others, but it’s a mistake to assume the same level of maturity, experience and risk awareness as your adult employees.
The majority of young people at work are unfamiliar with workplace culture, job duties, and common health and safety hazards. Young people need job-specific training, competent supervision and easy to follow instructions.
Certain work equipment has legal age restrictions on its operation, like forklift trucks and some woodworking machinery. Except in the case of work experience, children under the legal school-leaving age cannot work in factories or on construction sites. Other restrictions include working with compressed air, offshore diving, diving training and demolition work.
Compared to adults, young people need more supervision. This is less about watching over them and more about understanding their abilities on a practical level. Their professional development will benefit, and it will show you how effective your training is.
For many young people, the workplace will be awkward and unfamiliar. You can’t assume they will spot ‘obvious’ risks, or act to protect themselves the way experienced workers can.
Some young people may not be physically mature. If their muscle mass isn’t fully developed, they may be more vulnerable. Their manual handling skills may lack coordination, so supervise and support them closely.
Consider the level of training each young person needs. Adjust the role to suit how much practical supervision and support you can give. Make sure that you always keep a record of the training that you give to any young person.
Remember, young people may lack the confidence to object, confirm instructions, or raise concerns for their safety. Ask direct questions to gauge understanding and create opportunities for them to discuss health and safety.
Employer’s Liability insurance policies do not always include cover for young people on work experience schemes or as an occasional worker (Saturday job, newspaper deliveries, etc.) where permitted under the law. It is therefore important that you always inform your insurers when you take on work experience students and young workers to ensure that your liabilities are covered. It is also advisable to inform them of any young employees under the age of 18.
In summary, when taking on a young worker, it’s important to ensure you manage their health and safety to the same standard as adult employees. Under health and safety law, they are treated as employees, whether they’re working on a full-time, part-time, voluntary or work experience basis.
That’s why employers must provide clear and sufficient instruction, training and supervision so young persons can work without putting themselves or others at risk.
