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Today the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published updated
guidance for employers of under 18s, which will also be helpful
for parents, guardians, teachers and people who organise work
experience.
Last year six under-19s lost their lives carrying out work-related
activities, 1,551 sustained major injuries and a further 5,310
youngsters were off work for over three days as a result of
a work-related illness or injury.
Young people at work - a guide for employers (second edition)
explains employers' duties to protect young people at work,
as well as offer specific guidance on risks young workers are
likely to encounter. The guidance includes:
• Particular risks to young people under 18 years of age;
• What employers need to do to comply with the law;
• Specific restrictions on the work of young people;
• The provision and use of work equipment to young workers;
• How to get advice on limits on working hours, rest from
work and annual holidays;
• References to Approved Codes of Practice and other guidance
which employers may find helpful in identifying and tackling
specific risks to young people.
Dr Peter Graham, Head of HSE's Strategy and Analytical Support
Directorate said: "Starting work should be a time of considerable
excitement and opportunity for young people, but they may also
face unfamiliar risks from the job they will be doing and from
the working environment. For example, they may find themselves
working with - or near - powerful chemicals or machinery. Or
they may be in an occupation with potential for violent or aggressive
behaviour towards them. They are also likely to lack the confidence
to question or challenge what they are asked to do, especially
if they are trying to create a good impression with employers
or colleagues.
"I am concerned that each year young people are exposed to risks
in the workplace resulting in serious injury or ill health which
will affect them for the rest of their lives. This guidance
will help employers to assess the risks that young people face
in the workplace and take appropriate measures to minimise those
risks. Bosses also have a responsibility to give young people
a firm grounding in health and safety which will serve them
well throughout their working lives."
Further Details and Background Information.
1. The quoted figures on reported injuries are taken from
Health and Safety Statistics 1999/2000 ISBN 0-7176-1867-6 published
by HSE Books, price £17.50.
2.. The United Kingdom has implemented the health and safety
protections for young employees introduced by the European Directive
on the Protection of Young People at Work (the Young Workers'
Directive) through the Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999. Young people at work: a guide for employers
provides guidance on the provisions of the Regulations which
give employers particular responsibilities towards young people
below the age of 18 years they employ.
3. The tables in Section 4 contain more detailed information
on the nature of specific risks to young people from the hazards
listed in the Annex to the Young Workers' Directive and what
to do about them. It also includes any associated restrictions
on work by age in relevant health and safety law. Appendix 1
contains some further provisions by age relating to work in
agriculture, docks, mines and quarries, shipbuilding, the carriage
of dangerous goods, the provision and use of work equipment,
lifting operations and equipment and lift trucks.)
4. Essentially an employer must carry out a risk assessment
specifically taking into account the young person's possible
lack of awareness of existing or potential risks, immaturity
and inexperience. The updated guide aims to help those responsible
for assessing the risks to consider all relevant factors that
might apply to young people in their particular workplace.
5. Young people on work experience programmes are regarded in
law as the employees of their work placement provider. Those
involved in organising work experience have expressed particular
interest in this updated guidance as being relevant to the thousands
of employers providing work placement for school pupils and
students.
Copies of:
Young people at work - a guide for employers
(HSG(G) 165 (rev)) ISBN 0-7176-1889-7, price £7.95, and
Managing health and safety at work - a guide for organisers
(HSG199) ISBN 0-7176-1742-4, price £6.50,
can be ordered online at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk
or are available from
HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701 545500,
or write to: HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield,
S3 7HQ.
HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.
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