GSA Compliance Guidelines Young Persons/work experience Employment
1. Introduction COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYING YOUNG PERSONS/WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENTS The Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 These Regulations are to protect the health and safety of young people (ie those under eighteen years of age) at work. They require organisations to formalise their risk assessments for young people but do not otherwise require more than that which is already required under health and safety legislation. See GSA Compliance Guidelines on risk assessment. Any department employing young people (young persons on work experience are designated as employees for the purpose of health and safety legislation) should undertake a risk assessment before the young person starts work or work experience. A copy of the completed risk assessment should be given to the young person s parent/guardian. 2. Risk assessment 2.1 Before young people start work a written risk assessment must be carried out. If they are already at work, the current assessment must be reviewed immediately (and if necessary committed to writing). In carrying out the risk assessment, the following must be taken into account: a. the inexperience, lack of awareness of risks and immaturity of young persons b. the fitting-out and layout of the workplace and the workstation c. the nature, degree and duration of exposure to physical, biological and chemical agents d. the form, range and use of work equipment and the way in which it is handled e. the organisation of processes and activities f. the extent of the health and safety training provided, or to be provided, to the young persons g. risks from agents, processes as listed in the risk assessment proforma at the end of this document. 2.2 Young people must be protected from any risks to their health and safety which are a consequence of their lack of experience, absence of awareness of existing and potential risks, or immaturity. 2.3 Parents and those with parental responsibility for school-age children (ie under sixteen years of age) must be given information (a copy of the written risk assessment will suffice) about risks identified by the assessment, the preventative and protective measures, and any risks notified where the workplace is shared with another employer. All young people themselves should be similarly informed.
3. Prohibitions Departments are prohibited from employing young persons for work which: a. is beyond their physical or psychological capacity; or b. involves harmful exposure to agents which are toxic, carcinogenic, cause heritable genetic damage or harm to the unborn child, or which in any other way chronically affect human health; or c. involves harmful exposure to radiation; or d. involves a risk of accidents which it may reasonably be assumed cannot be recognised or avoided by young persons owing to their insufficient attention to safety or lack of experience or training; or e. presents a risk to health from extreme cold or heat, noise or vibration f. except where it is necessary for their training and they are supervised by a competent person, and the risk has been reduced to the lowest level reasonably practicable. 4. Action This Guidance applies to all departments who engage young persons (those under eighteen years old). Academic Support Managers should ensure risk assessments have been made for the work of young persons in accordance with the requirements of this policy before allowing them to start work. See appendix 1 for risk assessment.
Appendix 1 Risk Assessment Young Persons at Work or School Placement The following form, once completed is to be used as the risk assessment record. If any of the hazards are not applicable then enter n/a into the column headed N/A. When action has been taken the Date Action Taken By column must be signed and dated. The hazards listed do not represent an exhaustive list; additional hazards are to be entered onto page 3 including relevant hazards identified by other risk assessments. For further information about possible additional hazards refer to the checklist in the Risk Assessment arrangement. Name of Young Person School/training/Scheme.. Work activity to be undertaken Date(s) of commencement: From To. Hazard Risk Control Measure Date action taken /by N/A Risk of injury (due to a lack of The young person has been given guidance understanding of the procedures on the relevant Corporate procedures e.g. to follow e.g. following an instructions on the action to be taken in the accident or emergency or in the event of a fire or accident/incident. First aid event of fire). contact 1. Corporate procedures e.g. accident/incident, Emergency e.g. fire, First aid 2.Psychological capacity Risk of stress/injury (due to mental and emotional coping ability e.g. dealing with violent/aggressive behaviour). 3. Physical capacity Risk of injury (due to physique, general health, age, experience or lack of training). The young person has been provided with information about dealing with hazardous work situations e.g. dealing with violent behaviour. The young person has been given clear instructions about how to undertake their work activities and has been instructed about the work activities that they are to avoid. 4. Lone Working Risk of injury if left unsupervised The young person has been given clear instructions about not working alone or unsupervised.
5. Other equipment List equipment to be Used: Hazard Risk Control Measure Date action taken /by N/A Risk of injury (due to lack of training/supervision). The young person has been given clear instruction about the correct use of the equipment and will be closely supervised. 6.Work pace (e.g. set by Equipment or targets) 7. Chemical agents (toxic, harmful, corrosive and irritant substances) Risk of stress/injury (due to less developed Muscle strength, less skill, subject to peer pressure). Risk of injury (due to lack of appreciation of danger or understanding of instructions). Risk of allergic reaction (dermatitis or asthma). The work rate has been set at an appropriate pace for the young person. The work rate will be regularly monitored. The young person has been given clear instructions about the use of chemicals. Information has been obtained about the health of the young worker and they are located in a workplace that will not affect their health. Assessment undertaken by:.. Copy to Parent/Guardian (Name).. Date:. Date:.
Additional Hazards/Risks Identified Hazard Risk Control Measure Date action taken /by N/A Assessment undertaken by:.. Copy to Parent/Guardian (Name).. Date:. Date:.