Do a young worker safety check-up this NSW Youth Week

Running until 17 April, SafeWork NSW is urging employers do a safety check-up this NSW Youth Week, with more than 15,000 of the state’s more than half-a-million 25-and-unders injured at work each year — something that is costing $60 million in workers compensation claims.

Examples of young people injured on worksites this year include:

• in January, a 19-year-old apprentice plumber who slid on a wet roof and fell eight metres, fracturing his back while cleaning the gutters of a two-storey building;
• in March, a 21-year-old dogman who had his left foot crushed causing traumatic amputation when struck by the tip of a crane boom, and a 22-year-old electrician who suffered a broken leg, shattered wrist, broken jaw and facial lacerations after falling six metres from the roof of a double-storey house onto a concrete driveway.
   

“Workplace incidents can cause life-changing injuries, illness and death, and are especially sad when they happen to young workers,” Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said. “If you employ young workers or work experience students, make sure you understand your obligations to protect them and support their health and safety at work. Young workers often lack experience, are still developing physically and mentally, can be eager to make a good impression and may be reluctant to ask questions.”

All businesses must ensure they are creating safe working environments. SafeWork NSW has developed a ‘Young worker eToolkit’ for employees and workers. It contains tips and training materials about work safety rights and responsibilities. Another resource is ‘Five rights you have as a young worker’, a YouTube video about young workers’ safety.

“It is important that young people feel comfortable to speak up if they have any issues; employers not taking the time to ensure their workplace is safe is not worth the risk,” Curtin said. Young workers who see something that isn’t safe on a worksite and are worried about raising it can speak up anonymously using the Speak Up Save Lives website.

Image credit: iStock.com/coffeekai. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.