Accidents at Work Involving Young People
Work Injury Involving Young People
Young people, especially if they have just started work, will be more likely to suffer an injury at work than their older more experienced colleagues.
There are numerous reasons for this which include:
- They will lack experience
- They may lack maturity
- They are often unsure how to raise any concerns they have
- They may not have reached physical maturity and therefore lack the strength required for the job
- They are often eager to impress the people they work for.
These factors can lead to young people suffering injury or death in work accidents if proper steps are not taken to provide them with a safe place and a safe system of work.
Health and safety law
Health and safety law defines a young person as anyone under 18 years of age.
A child is anyone who is not over the compulsory school age.
Work injury risk assessment for young people
A health and safety risk assessment must be undertaken BEFORE a young person is employed. The purpose of this risk assessment is to identify any risks particular to young people that could lead to an industrial accident.
Employers should then devise a proper and safe system of work that protects the young person from harm. Factors would include:
- Layout of the workplace where the young person will work
- The types of equipment they will use
- How the work is organised.
Employers have to tell employees including young persons about the risks to their health and safety identified in the risk assessment and what has been done to reduce the risks of an accident at work.
If a child is employed or given work experience, their parents or carers must be told the key findings of the risk assessment and what measures have been put in place to prevent work accidents.
Training and supervision in the workplace
To avoid accidents at work, young people need training and supervision.
They will obviously need the most training when they first start work. This training is intended to ensure they do not put themselves or others at risk of suffering injuries in an industrial accident.
It is not enough for an employer to deliver training. They have to ensure that it has been understood.
As well as training, employers will need to ensure that young people are properly supervised. Young people will often require more supervision than their older and more experienced colleagues.
Our experience with accidents involving young people
Despite legislation being in place aimed at preventing injury to young workers, many young people suffer injury or death in accidents at work in circumstances that could and should have been avoided.
All too often we see the tragic consequences that flow from the negligence of employers.
If you or someone you care for is injured or killed in an industrial accident please seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
Complete our online form here for a free assessment.
The following case study highlights the risks faced by young workers.
Sixteen year olds fingers severed in accident at work
A 16 year old from Sheffield lost three fingers in an industrial accident whilst working as a general handyman for a summer job.
Wade Lee Savage had just left school when he got the job in a packing factory where he was expected to make tea, fetch lunch for the workers and occasionally compile cardboard boxes with a staple gun.
On the day of the accident a big order came in and Wade was asked to use a machine that cut up cardboard sheets.
Sadly, Wade’s hand was caught in the machine and he lost three fingers in this industrial accident.
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