Advice for Employers : Resources
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
Young Workers and Their Accidents
by Ellen Heptinstall, Kate Jewitt and Carol Sherriff ISBN 1 872071 44 9 1997
There are many unreported accidents to young people. CAPT are particularly concerned about the general perception that if the workplace is safe for adults - it is also safe for young people.
CAPT want to ensure that all young peopleís employment is safe and enjoyable. Attention must, therefore, be paid to both the legal and illegal employment of young people. The authors of this study suggest that days off school might be a measure of what is happening to young workers in the workplace.
Aim of the study - Young Workers and Their Accidents
- To provide a clearer picture of how much is known about accidents and injuries to young workers,
- To identify particular characteristics or circumstances which may make young people vulnerable to accident and injury, and
- To identify what is needed to improve their safety.
Structure - Six Chapters
- Details and scale of employment of young people - EU and UK -
- Young Workers and their accidents - summary of what is known about accidents and injury to young workers including their physical and developmental characteristics, attitudes to risk etc.
- Attitudes towards young peopleís health and safety - employers' associations, trade unions, young workers and their parents.
- Law enforcement and accident prevention - roles of H&S inspectors, education welfare officers, employers etc.
- Employment of children and young people: the regulatory framework - summary of International, European and national legislation protecting young people.
- Findings and recommendations - summary of findings and the recommendations for future action.
CAPTs findings include the facts that young people:
- have twice as many accidents as adults during their first year of work on leaving school;
- have a lower tolerance to extreme temperatures (heat and cold)
- develop muskoskeletal problems from using adult chairs etc.
- suffer more extensive burns
- inhale more toxic dust
- may develop fallen arches from standing on hard floors
