Young workers

Regulation 19 of the Management Regulations says that employers must protect young workers (those aged under 18) from risks to their health and safety arising from lack of experience or maturity, and must not employ a young person for work which:

• is beyond their physical or psychological capacity;

• involves harmful exposure to radiation or toxins or carcinogens (cancer-causing agents);

• involves the risk of accidents which may not be recognised or avoided by young people by virtue of their inexperience; and

• involves a risk to health from extreme cold or heat, noise or vibration.

HSE guidance says that employers must carry out the risk assessment before the young worker starts work. It adds that when control measures have been taken and there is still a significant risk, a young worker cannot do this work unless:

• it is necessary for their training;

• they are supervised by a competent person; and

• the risk will be reduced to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

The HSE guidance also says that where significant risks remain, no child under the minimum school leaving age can be employed to do this work. Whenever a child is below the minimum school leaving age, the key findings of the risk assessment and the control measures taken must be provided to the child’s parents before they start work or a work placement. This does not have to be in writing.