Mind the Gap: Young workers and safety risks

Each year, more than 4,400 workers aged between 15 and 24 are seriously injured at work, often within the first six months of starting a new job.

You may be considering employing, or already employ, a young person in your park or workshop in a role that involves significant manual handling or the use of machinery.

It is a common misconception that managing young worker safety is the same as managing other groups of workers. Young workers have a distinct risk profile and understanding this is the responsibility of everyone – from frontline supervisors to company directors.

The first step is to understand why young workers face unique risks.

Most young people, particularly those fresh out of school, have little or no work experience and limited interaction with adults in a professional setting. They learn by watching others, which means those who supervise them must set the right example.

Are young workers in your workplace encouraged to ask questions? Do supervisors use the ‘tell me, show me, watch me’ approach? How do young workers know what to prioritise when faced with multiple tasks?

Young workers are injured at higher rates than older colleagues in many industries and feature prominently in workers’ compensation claims. They are particularly vulnerable to injuries arising from:

• Operating machinery
• Using hand tools and knives
• Manual handling
• Contact with electricity
• Working on or around vehicles and quad bikes
• Working at heights
• Workplace violence or bullying

More information

WorkSafe QLD has produced a practical guide to help workplaces discuss young worker safety and engage young employees effectively. See the Young Workers Safety Toolkit for more details.