Are You Protecting Your Young Workers, Trainees, and Apprentices?

The following is an abridgement of an article posted by WorkSafe QLD.

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Between July and September 2024, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors will focus on how well businesses are supervising young workers, trainees, and apprentices. This highlights the importance of providing proper training and supervision to safeguard young workers.

Unfortunately, one company learned this lesson when they were fined $80,000 for failing to meet their health and safety obligations. This involved an apprentice carpenter who lost his fingers when operating a drop saw. Although surgeons were able to reattach his fingers, the injury will have lifelong consequences.

The most concerning part was the revelation that the company had no written safe work procedure for using a drop saw, there was no adequate training, and supervision was insufficient.

The Young Worker Health and Safety Toolkit

To help employers improve the safety of young workers, the Young Worker Health and Safety Toolkit provides essential guidance. It covers:

• The importance of fostering a supportive workplace safety culture
• Unique challenges young workers face in the workplace
• How to design tasks to improve safety for young workers
• Teaching young workers to recognise and manage risks
• Building young workers' safety capabilities
• Resources to facilitate conversations about workplace safety with young workers

The Young Worker Safety Toolkit is aimed at employers, education providers, youth services, and caregivers. It has been created to show the actions that build the ability to stay safe and productive.

Employer Responsibilities

As an employer, you are legally responsible for ensuring the safety and health of all workers, including young workers. Employers of young workers should:

• Understand the risk profile of young workers
• Ensure a safe and healthy work environment
• Provide thorough training, clear instructions, and proper supervision
• Promote a positive and supportive workplace culture

Effective Supervision: The "Tell Me, Show Me, Watch Me" Approach

Supervisors are encouraged to follow the “Tell Me, Show Me, Watch Me” method when inducting young workers into task-specific duties:

1. Tell Me: Clearly explain the task, emphasising critical steps and documented procedures.
2. Show Me: Demonstrate the task while explaining key points, asking questions to ensure the young worker understands.
3. Watch Me: Observe the young worker perform the task, offering constructive feedback to ensure it is done correctly and safely.

Before any young worker starts a task, the employer must assess their knowledge, competency, and ability to work safely. It is not enough to rely on a young worker's claim of experience or competence.