Next Generation

6 steps to protect new starters

According to the Health and Safety Executive (UK), “workers are as likely to have an accident in their first 6 months at work as during the whole of the rest of their working life.” The HSE(UK) advise of six steps to protect new starters:

1. Assess the new starter’s capabilities (e.g. comprehension of English, literacy, general health, relevant work experience, physical capacity to do the job etc.);
2. Provide an induction/ walkover to demonstrate the primary hazards;
3. Check control measures are in place;
4. Provide information, instruction and training on the potential risks and the precautions;
5. Provide adequate supervision and make sure workers know how to raise concerns;
6. Check workers have understood the information, instruction and training they need to work safely, and are acting on it. Make sure workers know:
   • who to speak to;
   • how to raise queries/ concerns regarding health and safety;
   • about any emergency arrangements or procedures.

There is a need to protect new entrants/young persons in employment in terms of instruction, mentoring and supervision. The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 provides for the setting of limits to the working hours of young persons (i.e. 16 to 17 year olds). Special considerations apply to young workers aged 16 and 17, including the following:

• The employer must first require them to produce their birth certificate;
• The maximum working week would be 40 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours worked per day;
• Working hours permitted are limited to between 6am and 10pm;
• The worker must be afforded a minimum of a 30-minute break every 4.5 hours;
• The worker must receive 2 days off in every 7-day period (e.g., Saturday & Sunday off).

Additionally, an employer of a young person (aged between 16-18) is required to carry out a risk assessment prior to the young person commencing employment. Also, when there is a major change in the place of work or the work to be carried out, the employer is required to ensure that there is no significant risk to the safety and health of the young person. The employer must ensure that any risks to the safety and health of a young person or to their development are assessed, taking into account the increased risk arising from the young person’s lack of maturity and experience in identifying risks to their own safety and health and, specifically, that any exposure to physical, biological and chemical agents or certain processes is avoided.