Safety Newsletter No: 83 - A Practical Guide to Keeping Young Workers Safe (and in One Piece!)

Bringing in young workers is brilliant for business – they are full of energy, ideas, and optimism (and occasionally questionable music taste). But here is the catch: the stats show they are also far more likely to get injured on the job. Let's break down what you need to know and what you can actually do to keep them safe, happy, and productive.

Why Young Workers Are at Higher Risk?

• First month = Newbies are four times more likely to get injured in their first month than after a year.

• First 6 months = still a real danger zone - workers are just as likely to have an accident in their first six months as in the rest of their working life combined.

• Common injuries = sprains, strains, cuts, burns, broken bones, the sort of stuff you don't want in your accident logbook.

What's Behind the Risk?

Young workers are often:       

• Short on experience, even if they have plenty of enthusiasm.

• Unsure of their rights or too shy to say, "erm, is this safe?"

• Thrown into physically demanding or emotional tough jobs without the skills to match.

• Given irregular hours, unfamiliar equipment, or most commonly, inadequate training or supervision.

• Nervous about speaking up if something feels wrong.

In short, they are keen but green.

The Legal Bit:

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA)

Know your responsibilities: Section 2(1) requires employers to keep all workers safe "as far as reasonably practicable" - that's HSE's way of saying do what's sensible and proportionate.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)

Regulation 3: Employers must carry out a "suitable and sufficient" risk assessment, taking account of risks to young people from lack of experience, awareness of risks, or lack of maturity. You must consider risks linked to: workplace layout, equipment, training, chemicals, noise, heat, heavy lifting… basically, the works.

Regulation 19: Places specific duties on employers when employing young people (under 18) to protect them against health & safety risks. Check if these are applicable to your specific work environment.

Working Time Regulations 1998 (as amended) (WTR)

These cover restrictions on hours, breaks, and night work for young workers defined as past school leaving age but under 18.

In Plain English

HSWA 1974 = the general duty to keep everyone safe.

MHSWR 1999 Regs 3 & 19 = the extra protection specifically for young workers.

WTR 1998 = rules on hours, breaks, and rest.

So in summary, do not expect a 16 or 17-year-old to know instinctively that the "obvious" danger other work colleagues have lived with for years, is actually dangerous.

Essential and Practical Tips

1. Nail the Induction

Don't just show them where the toilets and kettle are. Make sure you cover in detail:

• Key hazards in your workplace - this involves actually demonstrating to them what to do and, perhaps more importantly, what not to do.

• How to use equipment safely - and more than once!  Keep repeating instructions until you are sure they fully understand and are confident to go solo.

• Who to talk to if something goes wrong - and not someone who is likely to pay no attention to their concerns, or worse still, tease or ridicule them.

• Important policies, procedures and rules they need to be familiar with and understand, that will be many and varied, but should also go beyond health and safety, including how and who to report (i) sickness absence, (ii) a work accident or incident, (iii) a complaint about a situation or person, both informally or formally.  

• Remember this may be their first experience of a job, so explain basic work expectations, including punctuality, courtesy, team working and dare we say it, a work ethic!! 

  
  

2. Supervision is Everything

Think of it as the "on-the-job sat-nav." A competent person or 'work buddy' should be around to guide, correct, and reassure the young worker, as well as checking on their wellbeing in case they start looking overwhelmed or insecure.

3. Keep It Simple (and Repetitive)

Most young workers learn best with clear, bite-sized instructions - and yes, you will probably have to repeat yourself. Patience really pays off.

4. Encourage Questions (Psychological Safety)

Make it clear that no question is too silly. Better they ask, "do I need gloves for this?" than you explaining to A&E why they didn't. Ensure that your workplace culture is free of victimisation for asking questions or raising concerns.

5. Match Tasks to Ability

Check they can actually do the job safely. That might mean:

• Testing lifting technique.

• Checking they can follow written instructions.

• Remove unnecessary jargon – do not assume they will know what 'PPE' stands for.

6. Watch Out for High-Risk Stuff

Certain tasks are off-limits for under-18s even if it's part of supervised training:

• Night working, i.e. between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. or 11.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m.

• Dangerous machinery.

• Toxic chemicals.

• Construction and demolition work.

• Exposure to radiation.

Also, think about the risk of harassment and bullying by others, which in turn may create stress or anxiety in the young person, for they may not have the life skills or confidence to know how to deal effectively with difficult, embarrassing, or even confrontational conduct by others, which may even extend beyond the workplace and/or by third parties. 

7. Keep Parents in the Loop (for under-16s)

If you are providing a young person with a work experience placement, let their parents know what the risks are, and how you're controlling them.  Better still, give them a copy of the young workers risk assessment that you have already been through with the young person.

8. Hours & Rest Breaks

Young workers have stricter rules on working hours and breaks.

Check gov.uk for the nitty-gritty, but in short: a maximum of an 8-hour day and 40-hour week, i.e. no endless overtime or night shifts. 

Give them at least one daily unpaid break of 30 minutes after 4½ hours of continuous work.

Apprentices & Work Experience

If you take on apprentices, you are responsible for their safety, just like any other employee. Training providers and Apprenticeship Training Agencies will want to know your health and safety set-up is solid - especially if you're in higher-risk industries.  They will also want assurances that you will provide them with meaningful on-the-job training, time off for studies, and not simply think of them as cheap labour.

The Bottom Line

Young workers are a fantastic addition to your team, but they need a bit of extra TLC on the health, safety and wellbeing front. Think: clear training, close supervision, sensible task allocation, and an open-door policy for questions. Treat young workers as "high potential but high risk." Invest a little extra time in safety now, and you will save yourself accidents, paperwork, and a few grey hairs later. Do this well, and not only will you keep them safe – you will also build their confidence, loyalty, and maybe even learn a TikTok dance or two (optional).

BackupHR - Young Worker Health & Safety Checklist

For apprentices and all under-18s even if this is not their first workplace.

Remember: First 6 months = highest accident risk.

Young workers need extra supervision, training & patience.

1. Before They Start

• Risk assessment updated to include young workers.

• Tasks checked for suitability (no high-risk jobs unless supervised training).

• Parents/guardians informed (if under 16).

2. Induction Must Cover

• Main workplace physical hazards and psychosocial factors including wellbeing and stress factors.

• Safe use of equipment.

• Emergency procedures.

• Who to report issues/accidents to.

• Who to report informal and formal complaints to.

3. Day-to-Day Essentials

• Supervision in place (competent person assigned).

• Clear, simple instructions given (and repeated if needed!).

• Encourage questions - no such thing as a silly one.

• Check capability (e.g. lifting, following instructions).

4. Watch Out For

• Heavy lifting or physically demanding work.

• Dangerous machinery.

• Chemicals, asbestos, lead, radiation.

• Construction/demolition work.

• Extreme heat, cold, noise, or vibration.

(Under-18s can only do these if essential for training, supervised properly, and risks reduced as far as reasonably practicable.)

5. Working Hours (Under-18s)

• No excessive overtime or night shifts.

• Check gov.uk for latest rules.

• Ensure proper rest breaks.

6. Ongoing Support

• Monitor progress regularly.

• Adjust tasks as needed.

• Reinforce training often.

• Keep communication open.

Conclusion

Young workers = keen but green.

Keep them safe with extra instruction, training, monitoring and supervision.

Your Consultant will be pleased to advise you on any element of the issues arising from this newsletter.