The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made available guidance for employers on protecting young people at work.
Workers are as likely to have an accident in the first six months at a workplace as they are during the whole of the rest of their working life. Young people are especially at risk as they are likely to be new to the workplace and less aware of risks.
When workplaces employ young people under the age of 18, they have the same responsibilities for their health, safety and welfare as they do for other workers. This applies whether they are a worker, on work experience, or an apprentice.
HSE’s young people at work guidance has advice for employers on:
- risks to young people at work
- training and supervision
- work experience
- apprentices
HSE also has more guidance on young workers on their website, including advice for parents, carers, schools, colleges and work experience organisers
