WorkSafe: Protect Young Workers
Every day 200 young Victorians join the workforce. They bring with them enormous energy, enthusiasm, ideas and innovation.
Unfortunately, young workers often have lower awareness of occupational health and safety risks.
Since the start of the year, 2,348 workers under the age of 25 have been injured seriously enough at work in Victoria to receive workers compensation. Of the young workers injured since January 2024, approximately 25% were working in the construction industry
The most common causes of injuries to young workers were approximately:
- being hit by moving objects, 35%
- body stress, 27%
- falls, trips and slips, 22%
- Hitting objects with part of the body, 6%.
Information accurate as of 12 December 2024.
As far as is reasonably possible, employers are required by Victoria’s OHS laws to provide and maintain a safe and risk-free workplace for their workers. This duty includes risks arising from both physical and psychological hazards, such as bullying or customer abuse.
WorkSafe are urging employers and duty holders in the construction industry to prioritise young-worker safety. It’s an employer’s responsibility to ensure there are systems and processes in place that consider the age of their workers and their capabilities.
Employer’s duties to protect apprentices and trainees include:
- Apprentices and trainees should be encouraged to voice safety concerns and receive guidance on how to perform their jobs safely and competently
- Employers must supervise on-the-job training and are accountable for the safety of their trainees or apprentices
- You have the option of doing this yourself or giving the position to a capable employee (Make sure the person doing this is aware of their obligations).
All employees, including young workers, are required by Victoria’s OHS laws to:
- Take appropriate precautions for their own health and safety at work and consider the potential effects of their actions or inactions on the health and safety of others
- Cooperate with their employer regarding the steps the employer takes to fulfil their obligations under the OHS laws of Victoria
- Avoid wilfully or carelessly interfering with or abusing any workplace safety measures.
For further information: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/young-workers-safety-basics