The Council’s Young Workers Policy is in place to ensure that the risk to Young Workers either employed or on work experience is reduced as low as is reasonably practicable.
Who is a Young Worker?
- A young (person) worker is someone who has reached school leaving age but is under 18.
- A work experience young person is one who is generally in their last two years of school.
- A child is anyone who has not yet reached the official Minimum School Leaving Age (MSLA).
Key Messages from the Policy:
- Risk assessments are required to take into consideration the capabilities and limitations young person’s may have due to their lack of experience; a lack of maturity; and potentially being unaware of existing or likely risks.
- Apply Control Measures that, where practicable, minimises exposure risks to Young Workers, especially where the young person is entering employment for the first time or has additional needs.
- Provide instruction, training, information, and supervision that is appropriate and relevant for Young Workers.
- The employer must protect Young Workers from high-risk and dangerous working activities.
Risk Assessments
There are two risk assessments linked to this policy, the F22a Young Workers Generic Activity Risk Assessment and F22b Young Worker Generic Capability Assessment which gathers information on the needs of specific individuals to assess their suitability for intended work.
Further information on Somerset Council’s Policy
The Policy was recently updated and changes were made to the responsibilities section which highlights the need for responsible managers to notify the school/college/parents/carers of any accidents to the young person and follow the Council’s process for reporting on EEC. The review also incorporated Guidance as an Appendix item, and includes additional information pertaining to risk assessments, safe systems of work, and capability assessments.
Learn more:
Young people at work: Overview – HSE
Young people at work: Work experience – HSE
