Health and safety for young people

Employers who neglect the health and safety of young employees could risk HSE inspection blitzes, if a new TUC campaign is successful. The campaign follows a BMRB poll which revealed that 37% of 15-24 year olds had not received any health and safety training at work. Ten young workers are seriously injured in Britain every week, and the TUC is urging the HSE to target those industries where many young people are employed - that is, construction and hospitality.

There are special regulations governing young employees in the workplace. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 safeguard the health and safety of workers under 18 years old. The regulations require employers to:

- take particular account of young workers' lack of experience and maturity when assessing health and safety risks. The assessment must be made before the young person starts work;

- take account of the risk assessment in deciding whether the young person is prohibited from doing certain work; and

- inform parents (or those with parental responsibility) for school age children of the outcome of the risk assessment and control measures introduced.
This document is for general guidance and research purposes only, and does not purport to give professional advice. Please check the date at the top of the article; the Workplace Law Network retains historic articles for general research.