Your health and
safety guide to
WorkSafe
Victoria
WorkSafe Advisory Service
222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Managing young workers
Phone 03 9641 1444
Toll-free 1800 136 089
Email
[email protected]
Head Office
222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone 03 9641 1555
Toll-free 1800 136 089
Website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
Local Offices
YGT020/01/12.07
03 5338 4444
03 5443 8866
03 8792 9000
03 5226 1200
03 9941 0558
03 5021 4001
03 9565 9444
03 9485 4555
03 5831 8260
03 5174 8900
03 5721 8588
03 5564 3200
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
EDITION NO. 1 DECEMBER 2007
SUBJECT GUIDE
There’s plenty more information
about health and safety...
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
1800 136 089
Ballarat
Bendigo
Dandenong
Geelong
Melbourne
(628 Bourke Street)
Mildura
Mulgrave
Preston
Shepparton
Traralgon
Wangaratta
Warrnambool
In this series
Hazards
If this Subject Guide does not contain an up-to-date More information
sheet, please go to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au to download the PDF
or contact us on 1800 136 089 to request a printed copy.
Your health and safety guide to asbestos
Your health and safety guide to confined spaces
Your health and safety guide to dangerous goods
Your health and safety guide to falls prevention
Your health and safety guide to hazardous substances
Your health and safety guide to lead
Your health and safety guide to manual handling
Your health and safety guide to noise
Your health and safety guide to plant
Industries
Your health and safety guide to construction
Your health and safety guide to forestry
Your health and safety guide to foundries
Your health and safety guide to major hazard facilities
Your health and safety guide to mines
Subjects
Your health and safety guide to communicating across languages
Your health and safety guide to consultation
Your health and safety guide to controlling OHS hazards and risks
Your health and safety guide to licensing and registrations
Your health and safety guide to managing young workers
Your health and safety guide to workplace amenities and first aid
Visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au for online guidance on all of these
topics and more…
The information presented in Your health and safety guide to managing young workers is intended for general use only.
It should not be viewed as a definitive guide to the law, and should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2004.
This publication is protected by copyright. The Victorian WorkCover Authority encourages the free transfer, copying and
printing of this publication if such activities support the purposes and intent for which the publication was developed.
WorkSafe Victoria is a division of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
Young workers are more likely to be injured
at work than any other age group in Victoria.
And it’s not just full time employees.
15 to 24 year olds in all types of employment –
casual, part-time, labour hire, work
experience, structured workplace learning
or apprenticeships – have the highest rate
of injury in the state, and their injuries are
more likely to result in hospitalisation.
Employers need to pay specific attention
to the needs of young workers in their
workplace. Young workers must be
properly trained and supervised, and
provided with sufficient information to
ensure they can work safely.
This guide will help you understand how
to safeguard young workers.
In this guide
About the issue
• Who are young workers?
• Young workers are at risk
• Why are young workers at higher risk
of being injured?
Your legal duties
• The law
• Information for employers
• Young workers’ rights and responsibilities
Getting Started
• Consultation
• Training
• Supervision
• Policies and procedures
• Review and support
• Some tips for promoting a safety culture
in the workplace
Glossary
2
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
About the issue
Who are young workers?
Young workers are 15–24 year olds
who are working:
• permanently full or part time
• casually full or part time
• on labour hire
• as an apprentice or trainee
• as part of a work experience or
structured workplace learning program.
Young workers are at risk
In Victoria, young workers have the highest
proportion of work-related injury – 17%
higher than the average across all ages.
Young workers also have a higher rate
of hospitalisation – 21% higher than other
age groups.
Why are young workers
at higher risk of being
injured?
Young workers:
• are usually still developing physically
and mentally:
– there can be tasks that will be beyond
their current capabilities
• may lack the experience, knowledge
or skills to:
– understand the risks involved in
the tasks they are doing
– take appropriate steps to protect
themselves and their workmates
from injury
• may do work they are not able to do
because they:
– have not been properly trained or
are not being properly supervised
– have been working with dangerous
equipment or substances where safe
work practices have not been adopted
• may not be aware of their rights and
responsibilities in terms of workplace
health and safety:
– they may not ask questions or speak
out if there is a problem for fear of
looking incapable or losing their job.
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
3
Your legal duties
The law
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act)
The OHS Act came into effect on 1 July 2005. It sets out the key principles, duties
and rights in relation to occupational health and safety. The general nature of the
duties imposed by the Act means that they cover a wide variety of circumstances,
do not readily date and there is considerable flexibility for a duty-holder to determine
what needs to be done to comply.
The OHS Act is based upon the following key health and safety principles:
• All people – employees and the general public – should have the highest level
of protection against risks to health and safety.
• Those who manage or control things that create health and safety risks in the
workplace are responsible for eliminating or reducing the risks, so far as is
reasonably practicable.
• Employers should be proactive in promoting health and safety in the workplace.
• Information and ideas about risks and how to control them should be shared
between employers and employees.
• Employees are entitled – and should be encouraged – to be represented in relation
to health and safety issues.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (OHS Regulations 2007)
New Regulations for occupational health and safety came into effect on 1 July 2007.
The OHS Regulations are intended to protect Victorian workers from health and
safety risks.
4
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
Information for employers
Provide a safe and healthy workplace
By law, employers must provide a safe
and healthy workplace for all employees,
including young workers, so far as is
reasonably practicable. This is regardless
of the type and terms of their employment.
To provide a safe and healthy workplace:
• You must eliminate any risks to the
health and safety of all employees,
including young workers, as far as is
reasonably practicable:
– This includes protection from both
physical and psychological workplace
hazards, such as slippery floors, lifting
heavy loads, faulty machinery, bullying,
violence, fatigue and work-related stress.
– If it isn’t reasonably practicable to
eliminate the risks, you must reduce
them as far as reasonably practicable.
Because young workers are at higher
risk of being injured, you need to consider
their age as a specific risk factor when
identifying hazards and controlling risks
in the workplace.
Provide training and supervision
You must ensure as an employer that
all employees, including young workers,
have appropriate information, instruction,
training and supervision to ensure their
work is done safely and their health is
not put at risk. Your training should:
• show employees how to carry out their
job safely and how to recognise and
report hazards on the job
• ensure employees can demonstrate
competence before starting work and
starting each new task
• provide and show employees how to
use the necessary equipment and how to
safely wear/use any protective gear, such
as gloves, safety footwear and goggles
• explain health and safety policies
and procedures
• help employees get to know the layout
of the workplace
• introduce them to their immediate
supervisor, health and safety
representative and workmates.
Supervisors should ensure that young
workers are closely and competently
supervised. Responsible and mature
supervision needs to be provided on
an ongoing basis by being aware of
work requirements, including health and
safety requirements, and appreciating
the risks involved in the tasks young
workers are doing.
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
5
Your legal duties continued
Talk about health and safety
As an employer, you are responsible for
sharing health and safety information with
all employees, including young workers.
This includes:
• consulting with employees and
health and safety representatives
when identifying workplace hazards
and determining control measures
for those hazards
• discussing new equipment when
it is introduced into the work area
• discussions at team or toolbox meetings.
Young workers’ rights
and responsibilities
Young workers have a general duty to take
reasonable care for their own health and
safety, and that of their workmates, and
to cooperate with your efforts to make
the workplace safe.
This includes:
• following workplace health and safety
policies and procedures
• using risk control measures provided
by you
• attending workplace health and
safety training
• reporting hazards and risks in
the workplace.
Young workers are also entitled,
and encouraged, to have someone
represent them on workplace health
and safety matters – a health and safety
representative (HSR). If your workplace
does not have an HSR, any employee
can ask you to set up a designated work
group (DWG). Once a DWG is established,
an HSR needs to be elected.
6
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
Getting started
WorkSafe has a range of guidance materials to advise on the required processes
and actions that duty-holders must take in order to meet their legal obligations.
See the enclosed More Information sheet for a listing of guidance materials related
to young workers.
Consultation
Employees’ expertise and hands-on
experience can make a significant
contribution to improving workplace health
and safety. While they may not be as
experienced, young workers often have
good questions, fresh eyes and new
ideas to put forward. Regular proactive
consultation can help identify issues in the
workplace, and build a strong commitment
to health and safety by including all views
in the decision-making process.
Under the OHS Act, employers must
consult with employees, including young
workers, when identifying and assessing
hazards or risks, and making decisions
about control measures. ‘Employees’
include independent contractor(s) (and
any employees of the independent
contractor) who perform work that
the employer has control over.
Health and safety
representatives (HSRs)
If employees, including young workers,
are represented by HSRs, consultation
about workplace health and safety matters
must involve those representatives.
These matters may include:
• the control measures in place to prevent
hazards and risks to workplace health
and safety
• induction and ongoing training
• supervision
• the development and implementation
of workplace health and safety policies
and procedures.
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
7
Getting started continued
Some tips for consultation
• Ensure that young workers know
how to report unsafe conditions or
hazards in the workplace, and that
they feel comfortable doing so.
• Encourage young workers to
share workplace health and safety
information, and discuss issues by
participating in team or toolbox
meetings, and talking with their
immediate supervisor and/or HSR.
• Discuss risks to young workers and
their specific needs in the workplace
with HSRs, the health and safety
committee, and other employees.
8
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
Some tips for HSRs to effectively
represent young workers
• Understand the hazards and risks
in your workplace that are particular
to young workers and what control
measures are in place.
• Liaise closely with supervisors/
employers to ensure that these
particular hazards and risks
are controlled.
• Talk with young workers in your
work group about workplace health
and safety, and promote safe work
practices and procedures.
• Ensure that young workers know
who you are and what your role is:
– Make sure they know that they
can discuss any workplace health
and safety concerns with you
and/or their immediate supervisor.
– Encourage them to report any
workplace hazards, injury or
illness to you and/or their
immediate supervisor – no
matter how small it might
seem – so that steps can be
taken to resolve the issue.
– Let them know the best way to
approach you, and ensure they
feel comfortable doing this.
Training
In delivering training, each employee
should be treated as if they are new to
the workplace. A new role or new task
will invariably present new hazards and
risks, regardless of the employee’s past
experience, skills or training. All employees,
including young workers, must be made
aware of the hazards involved in each new
task and the appropriate control measures
for safe work.
While you as an employer are legally
responsible for ensuring that all employees
receive adequate training, managers and
supervisors are often responsible for the
delivery of on-the-job training. You must
ensure that employees can demonstrate
competence before starting work and
starting each new task.
For young workers in particular, you should:
• incorporate basic health and safety into
job training
• tailor health and safety training to the
workplace and the equipment, tools
and work practices involved in the job
• tailor training to your young workers’
specific cultural, literacy and learning
needs so that they receive the right
message in a form that they understand
You may consider:
• providing written information
that is in their preferred language
or plain English and in clear print
• using bilingual staff or sign/
language interpreters
• check for understanding to ensure young
workers are comfortable and competent
with new procedures or equipment – only
young workers who fully understand
the task should do the work.
For more detailed information on
workplace health and safety training,
refer to the training checklist for young
workers and the training checklist for
work experience and structured
workplace learning students. These
checklists are available online at
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/young
workers or from the WorkSafe Advisory
Service on 1800 136 089 (toll free).
Determine how training should
be tailored by talking to your
young workers in addition to
testing their skills.
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
9
Getting started continued
Supervision
Effective supervision means closely
monitoring employees’ work practices and
conditions, correcting any unsafe work
habits and being available for questions.
Supervisors need to have a strong
understanding of health and safety best
practice and an ability to build positive
working relationships.
Supervisors can often be young workers
themselves, so it is important that as an
employer you provide them with ongoing
support and advice in the same manner
as you would for all young workers.
It is important for supervisors to:
• understand the risks and control
measures connected with the tasks
young workers are doing
Refresher training should be provided
to supervisors on a regular basis so
that they maintain their competence.
• ensure that young workers are closely
and competently supervised until they can
demonstrate that they can work safely
Continue to ensure ongoing responsible
and mature supervision is provided,
by maintaining an awareness of
work requirements, including health
and safety requirements, and an
appreciation of the risks involved in
the tasks young workers are doing.
10 SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
• establish and maintain open lines
of communication
Be available to answer questions and
provide advice.
Supervisors should discuss with
young workers the best way to
approach them when they are unsure
about a task or need advice.
• emphasise the importance of prompt
reporting of unsafe conditions and health
and safety concerns so that immediate
action can be taken to resolve the issue
• explain health and safety policies
and procedures and ensure that all
employees, including young workers,
follow them. If they are not followed,
find out why and take swift action
to correct this
Encourage supervisors to periodically
take young workers on health and
safety walk-through inspections to spot
hazards and any unsafe work practices.
• lead by example – always reinforce health
and safety on the job and wear/use
required personal protective equipment.
Policies and
procedures
Have health and safety policies and
procedures in place that are agreed,
understood by the workplace and enforced.
Examples of policies and procedures
include those addressing workplace bullying,
violence, harassment and skylarking.
Such policies may address intimidation,
offensive language and behaviour,
isolation, initiations and practical jokes.
Review and support
It’s important to review consultative,
training and supervision arrangements
and policies and procedures regularly
to ensure they are working well and are
still adequate. Changes in workplace
demographics, especially an increase
in the number of young workers, will
require a review of these arrangements,
policies and procedures.
Some tips for employers to promote a safety culture in the workplace
• Implement a ‘buddy’ system – pair up young workers with experienced safety
conscious employees who are good communicators and are likely to be good
role models. A ‘buddy’ can:
– work alongside the young worker
– talk to the young worker about work and workplace issues
– reinforce important aspects of the job and workplace
– answer questions and pass on skills, knowledge and experience.
NOTE: a ‘buddy’ does not replace the daily responsibility of the supervisor to
provide young workers with information, supervision, training and help.
• Encourage other employees to support young workers by keeping an eye out for them.
• Make yourself available during young worker orientation or induction sessions.
• Demonstrate your commitment to health and safety with your own consistent
safe work practices, and emphasise that unsafe work practices are unacceptable.
• Make health and safety a part of all workplace communications.
• Personally encourage young workers to report health and safety issues that they
may encounter, and to share ideas and suggestions.
• Respond to all health and safety concerns and act promptly.
• Promote and attend safety training sessions, and participate in any emergency
response training.
• Use and wear protective equipment and safety gear as required, and ensure
adequate maintenance.
SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS 11
GLOSSARY
Designated Work Group (DWG) – A group of employees who share similar workplace
health and safety concerns and conditions. One of the main functions of a DWG is to elect
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).
Employee – A person employed under a contract of employment or contract of training,
including young workers as defined below.
Employer – A person who employs one or more people under contracts of employment
or contracts of training, including young workers as defined below.
Hazard – A potential source of harm or injury. The potential to cause injury, illness or disease.
Health & Safety Representative (HSR) – A member of a Designated Work Group elected
to represent employees on matters relating to occupational health and safety.
Health & Safety Committee (HSC) – A cooperative forum for employers and employees to
work together on OHS issues. HSCs are particularly aimed at the development, review and
communication of OHS standards, rules and procedures.
Reasonably practicable – See section 20(2) of the OHS Act and the WorkSafe Position on
How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to reasonably practicable.
Supervisor – A person employed to be responsible for the day to day performance of a group
of employees in the workplace.
Young Worker – a person aged 15–24 who is employed full or part-time (permanently or
casually), on labour hire, as an apprentice or trainee or as part of a work experience or
structured workplace learning program.
12 SUBJECT GUIDE / MANAGING YOUNG WORKERS
In this series
Hazards
If this Subject Guide does not contain an up-to-date More information
sheet, please go to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au to download the PDF
or contact us on 1800 136 089 to request a printed copy.
Your health and safety guide to asbestos
Your health and safety guide to confined spaces
Your health and safety guide to dangerous goods
Your health and safety guide to falls prevention
Your health and safety guide to hazardous substances
Your health and safety guide to lead
Your health and safety guide to manual handling
Your health and safety guide to noise
Your health and safety guide to plant
Industries
Your health and safety guide to construction
Your health and safety guide to forestry
Your health and safety guide to foundries
Your health and safety guide to major hazard facilities
Your health and safety guide to mines
Subjects
Your health and safety guide to communicating across languages
Your health and safety guide to consultation
Your health and safety guide to controlling OHS hazards and risks
Your health and safety guide to licensing and registrations
Your health and safety guide to managing young workers
Your health and safety guide to workplace amenities and first aid
Visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au for online guidance on all of these
topics and more…
The information presented in Your health and safety guide to managing young workers is intended for general use only.
It should not be viewed as a definitive guide to the law, and should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2004.
This publication is protected by copyright. The Victorian WorkCover Authority encourages the free transfer, copying and
printing of this publication if such activities support the purposes and intent for which the publication was developed.
WorkSafe Victoria is a division of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
Your health and
safety guide to
WorkSafe
Victoria
WorkSafe Advisory Service
222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Managing young workers
Phone 03 9641 1444
Toll-free 1800 136 089
Email
[email protected]
Head Office
222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone 03 9641 1555
Toll-free 1800 136 089
Website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
Local Offices
YGT020/01/12.07
03 5338 4444
03 5443 8866
03 8792 9000
03 5226 1200
03 9941 0558
03 5021 4001
03 9565 9444
03 9485 4555
03 5831 8260
03 5174 8900
03 5721 8588
03 5564 3200
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
EDITION NO. 1 DECEMBER 2007
SUBJECT GUIDE
There’s plenty more information
about health and safety...
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
1800 136 089
Ballarat
Bendigo
Dandenong
Geelong
Melbourne
(628 Bourke Street)
Mildura
Mulgrave
Preston
Shepparton
Traralgon
Wangaratta
Warrnambool