Protect Your Apprentices from Injury and Death

Definitions of young people and children by age:

  • A young person is anyone under 18
  • A child is anyone who has not yet reached the official minimum school leaving age.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer has a responsibility to ensure that young apprentices employed by them are not exposed to risk due to:

  • Lack of experience
  • Being unaware of existing or potential risks and/or
  • Lack of maturity.

You must consider:

  • The layout of the workplace
  • The physical, biological and chemical agents they will be exposed to
  • How they will handle work equipment
  • How the work and processes are organised
  • The extent of health and safety training needed
  • Risks from particular agents, processes and work.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies as well.

Protect the Potential in Your Apprentices – Act Now!

You can use your existing arrangements for assessment and management of risks to your apprentices, but you also need to:

  • Take into account the potential lack of physical and psychological capacity of the apprentice
  • Pay special attention to exposure to harmful agents such as chemicals, heat, cold or vibration (the effect of which can be accentuated by youth)
  • Pay special attention to the apprentice’s experience and training
  • Pay special attention to their possible lack of attention
  • Consider carefully the role of supervision and ensure the correct level and type is provided

Contact us if you require assistance.

 

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