Young Workers

• Description
• Prevention
• Resources

Description

Many young workers are employed in cafes and restaurants.  When employing young workers, consider a number of characteristics, such as the the worker's:

• muscle strength (which may still be developing)
• behaviour and maturity
• vulnerability to workplace harassment
• limited work experience and training
• lack of confidence to raise issues with their employer or supervisor
• ability to see risks and make appropriate decisions about their safety and the safety of others
• ability to cope with the unexpected or with stressful situations (e.g. aggression from customers)
• competing priorities of work, study and social life leading to fatigue.

One prominent OHS jurisdiction identified the following 'top seven' dangers facing young workers:

1. Lifting objects - common jobs involved: retail and grocery stores, labourers, material handlers, transport and storage receivers and dispatchers.
2. Working on elevated levels - any jobs using ladders, stairs, scaffolding or other raised areas.
3. Working with knives - cooks, food service workers, retail clerks and shelf stockers.
4. Working with hot substances / objects - jobs in the hospitality and service industries.
5. Using mobile equipment or motor vehicles - any job requiring driving, riding, operating or operating near mobile equipment.
6. Working with food slicers - deli sales, cooks, food service workers & retail sales in supermarkets.
7. Working in proximity to running equipment or machinery - labourers in manufacturing or construction, machine operators, material handlers, bakers and cooks.

Prevention

Reduce the risk of injury by following these guidelines: 

• Supervise young workers until they can demonstrate they can work safely.
• Buddy young workers with experienced workers so skills, knowledge and experience can be shared.
• Enforce a policy about zero tolerance of harassment, skylarking, intimidation, offensive language and behaviour, initiations and practical jokes.
• Make sure young workers know how to report unsafe conditions and they feel comfortable doing this.
• Provide appropriate rostering which allows for sufficient rest between and during shifts.
• Train young workers about how to complete all tasks safely (induction training when they start as well as ongoing training).

Resources

WorkSafe ACT has the following guidance materials available for young workers:

• Safe Work Australia's Young Worker Toolkit
• Guidance for Young Workers - An introduction to what you need to know as a young worker in the ACT.
• Slips, Trips and Falls for Young Workers
• Manual Handling for Young Workers