Young people in the workplace Maureen Kirwan Vulnerable Workers - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Young people in the workplace Maureen Kirwan Vulnerable Workers Team Health and Safety Executive South Cumbria and North Lancashire IOSH meeting 11 December 2014

Broad context • The wider demographic • Employers have the same responsibility for young workers as for other workers • Work experience is an invaluable part of a young person’s education • Need to tackle any misperceptions that may create barriers to young people benefiting from rewarding work or work experience • All of the above mean it shouldn’t be a burdensome process for anyone involved

Context – HSE’s perspective • Those new to the workplace are at greater risk of accidents: this will often include young people • Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990 • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – requirements of regulation 3 – requirements of regulation 19 • HSE guidance published June 2013 – www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/workexperience

What are the specific factors? • Lack of experience • Being unaware of the risks • Immaturity • Physical and psychological capacity • Harmful exposure

Work experience • Shouldn’t be burdensome for employers • Wolf Report – recommendations to ensure provision of more, and higher-quality, work experience for 16 -18 year olds • Areas of misunderstanding: • Risk assessment • Visits • Insurance • Who is responsible for what?

Young People Guidance and review • Improved guidance package: • Web pages, including myths and FAQs • Leaflet INDG364 • Following the guidance means those involved in employing young people for work or work experience will be doing what the law requires • Young people research • Young people guidance evaluation www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/index.htm

Over to you… Any Questions ? We want to know what you think: • What are your experiences of employing young people? • Have you encountered problems? • Has our guidance helped answer your queries? • What else might be needed? http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/myth-busting.htm maureen.kirwan@hse.gsi.gov.uk