At this time of year, over 250,000 school leavers commence their first job, full of enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of entering their adult working life, unfortunately without little or no knowledge of the importance of health and safety within the workplace.
A new research study by The Trades Union Congress (TUC), "Too Young to Die", has highlighted the importance of health and safety for the young worker and has shown that a young worker is injured every 40 minutes.
In light of this study, the TUC have issued a warning to both the young worker and the employer to make sure young workers do not become one of the many seriously injured at work.
Some of the findings from the TUC’s study are shown as follows:
- Over 4,000 16-24 years old are seriously injured at work every year.
- 12 were killed in 2004/05.
- 16 were killed in 2003/04.
- 15,000 are injured badly enough to be off work for more than three days.
- Young workers are at increased risk because their employers fail to take account of their lack of workplace experience and training.
Mr. Rory O'Neill, the TUC's Hazards Editor said:
“It's a myth that young workers are killed or injured because they goof around or because they are immature. They are at risk because they are inexperienced. The newer you are to the job, regardless of your age, the higher the risk.
“Every 40 minutes of every working day, seven days a week, a preventable workplace accident maims or kills a young worker. This is the wholly predictable consequence of placing a novice in what is a frequently hostile and often hazardous workplace environment without the necessary training and supervision.”
The 2006 European Week for Safety and Health at Work and Safe Start Campaign is dedicated to young people and their safety and health within the workplace.
Employers should be aware of the following when considering young worker employment:
- Create quality jobs for young workers, and be aware of the recruitment and retention advantages of doing this.
- Be aware of the risks to young people, how they arise and what they need to do.
- Cover young workers in risk assessments, and take appropriate additional measures to protect them.
- Allocate tasks appropriately by taking account of their (limited) experience and skills, information, training, supervision etc.
- Ensure that all young and new workers are provided with induction training and supervision - this provides an opportunity to promote innovative methods, such as twinning a young worker with an older mentor.
Further information on the "Too Young to Die" study can be accessed from the Hazards Webpage, by clicking the following:
Further information on the Safe Start Campaign can be accessed by clicking the following:
European Week 2006 (Young workers) - and Safe Start Campaign
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have a Webpage with information on the activities during European Week which can be accessed by clicking the following:
HSE - Campaigns: Euroweek 2006 activities
Article by Alexandra Johnston
