Health, Safety and Environment

Young People at Work

15 December 2006

Following the European Safety Week 2006 theme of young people's safety at work, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new website dealing with key issues to take into account when assessing the risks to young people at work.

Young people, especially those new to the workplace, will encounter unfamiliar risks from the jobs they will be doing and from the working environment. So the HSE "Young People" website covers a wide range of material specifically aimed at helping them.

• All people are at particular risk of injury in the first six months of a job as they may be unaware of existing or potential risks. Young people will frequently be in this category.
• Young people may lack experience or maturity or may be unaware of how to raise concerns.
• They may not have reached physical maturity and therefore lack the strength demanded.
• They may be eager to impress or please people with whom they work.