Young workers between the ages of 15 and 25 are being injured, sometimes fatally, at work every day. A lack of experience and unfamiliarity with workplace procedures puts them at particular risk.
In addition to physical injury, young workers can be exposed to psychological hazards such as bullying, violence, harassment, discrimination, drugs and alcohol which can cause stress and anxiety and adversely affect work performance.
Employers must pay special attention to the needs of young workers to ensure they are protected from risk of injury and illness arising from any workplace hazards.
Common injuries to young workers include:
Sprains and strains.
Open wounds.
Fractures.
Bruising and crushing.
Burns.
Common workplace hazards for young workers in the body repairers industry include:
Manual handling e.g. pushing, pulling, carrying and lifting objects.
Work environment e.g. floor surfaces, noise, temperature, ventilation and access.
Machinery eg. powered and non-powered equipment.
Heat e.g. burns and scalds.
Electricity
Harassment, bullying or violence involving co-workers or customers. Young workers and apprentices can sometimes be subjected to initiation or "hazing" where they are made to do humiliating things in order to be accepted as part of the team.
Hazardous substances e.g. chemicals, fumes.
Cuts and other skin penetrating injuries.
.Working in confined spaces.
Workplace stress.
Employers' responsibilities for young workers' health and safety:
1. Provide a safe and healthy workplace
Identify all hazards in the workplace.
Assess the potential for harm each hazard presents.
Control the hazards – this means putting measures in places to protect young workers from both physical and psychological hazards.
.Always consider which tasks are given to young workers, given their age, skills and experience.
2. Provide training and supervision for young workers on the following:
How to do the job safely and how to recognise and report hazards on the job.
How to use the necessary equipment, and how to safely wear and use any protective gear such as gloves, safety footwear and goggles.
The layout of the workplace.
.Information on a worker's immediate supervisor, health and safety representative and workmates.
3. Share information and talk with young workers about health and safety matters, including:
Asking for workers' input when assessing workplace hazards and ways to control them.
Discussing new equipment when it is introduced.
Discussions at team or toolbox meetings.
.Discussions with health and safety representatives.
Young employees' responsibilities for their own health and safety:
Work safely at all times:
Young employees must look after themselves by following workplace procedures, wearing and using all appropriate protective equipment and not putting workmates at risk.
Ask if you are not sure:
Young workers should know and follow all the health and safety requirements that affect the job. If they don’t know how to do something safely, or aren’t sure, they must ask for help or training before beginning the task.
Report all concerns:
If a worker is concerned about any aspect of his/her or a workmates health and safety, they should talk to their employer, immediate supervisor or health and safety representative immediately. They can also discuss health and safety concerns and seek advice from their more experienced workmates.
This information was taken from the 2010 edition of the Body Repairers Guide to Workplace Safety.
Pro-Visual Publishing produces 48 extensively researched information charts covering health, safety and wellbeing issues for a range of industries. Additional copies are available and all guides are produced and distributed without cost.
To receive additional copies of the Body Repairers Guide to Workplace Safety or any other guide, please contact Pro-Visual Publishing on (02) 8272 2611,
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