Advice for employers about student’s health and safety.
Introducing young people to the world of work can help them understand the work environment and make them increasingly aware of the Health and Safety factors which are present in the workplace.
Under Health and Safety Law, apprentices are to be treated as any other employee would be. Work experience students are to be treated like any other employee whilst they are undertaking the placement and have the same health and safety rights as your employees.
Keeping students safe
As an employer you will be allocated a key contact at the College who will discuss all arrangements of the student/apprentice. If a student/apprentice has any additional needs, for example due to any health conditions or learning difficulties, the key contact will discuss this with you.
The Law
Putting the necessary requirements in place for young people (those under 18) should be straightforward and, in most cases, you should already have the necessary risk management arrangements in place for your existing employees. You may have to review these in light of student’s/apprentice's maturity, capability and understanding as well as any medical needs that you are aware of.
You will need to consider:
- The layout of the workplace and where the student/apprentice will work
- How the work and processes are organised and if the student/apprentice can handle any physical demands
- The extent of health and safety training needed
- How the student/apprentice will handle work equipment and under what supervision
- Risks from particular agents, processes and work
- If the temperature or physical conditions of the workplace present any risk factors
- The physical, biological and chemical agents they will be exposed to and under what supervision
Training and supervision
It is essential that as an employer you recognise that young people can be at particular risk because they may lack experience and training.
They need good advice, information and supervision as well as suitable, safe, and healthy jobs.
If the student/apprentice is a young person, they are likely to need more supervision than adults, but can learn swiftly with some guidance and input from a supervisor.
