According to WorkCover, young workers are those aged 15-24 years who are working permanently, casually, on labour hire, as an apprentice/trainee or as part of work experience or a structured workplace learning program.

There are a number of factors that put young workers at a greater health and safety risk including:

• Lack of experience, knowledge or skill to fully appreciate the risks in the tasks they are performing
• An inability to protect themselves or co-workers from injury as well as a more experienced worker might
• An overconfidence in their work, performing tasks that may be beyond their current mental and physical capabilities
• Lack of appropriate training and inductions
• More reserved in asking questions or raising safety issues

To combat and limit these risks employers must ensure that you:

1. Have policies and procedures in place
2. Promote a strong safety culture
3. Carry out an induction
4. Provide adequate training
5. Provide adequate supervision
6. Ensure regular consultation

Although it may seem that young workers carry a great risk, they also bring new innovations and enthusiasm to the role and prove to be effective members of the working team.