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Young people are especially vulnerable in the workplace.Across Europe, 18 to 24-year-olds are at least 50% more likely to be hurt at work than older people. Young people are also more likely to suffer from an occupational illness. |
Behind the statistics are individual stories. Young people having to live with the consequences of accidents and illness. Young people dying who had their whole lives ahead of them.
There are many reasons why young workers are at risk. But they are all things that
we can do something about. Employers, educators, health and safety professionals, policy makers, and young workers themselves - we all have a responsibility to help keep young people safe and healthy.
See all the Agency publications on Young People
Why are young people vulnerable?
New to the job and new to the workplace, young people lack experience, and may not pay enough attention to the risks that they face:
- they may lack physical and psychological maturity
- they may lack skills and training
- they may be unaware of their employer's duties, and their own rights and responsibilities
- they may lack confidence in speaking out if there's a problem.
For their part, employers may fail to take account of the vulnerability of young people, by providing them with the training, supervision and safeguards that they need, and giving them work that is appropriate for them.
What can I do?
How do I keep safe? Advice for young workers
What do I have to do? Advice for employers
What do I need to know? Advice for health and safety professionals
How can I teach young people about health and safety? Advice for educators
How can I inform my children about health and safety? Advice for parents
The risks young people face
The exact risks that they face depend on the type of work that they are doing. Common risks include:
- slips and trips
- dangerous equipment
- lifting loads
- fast, repetitive work
- work in awkward positions
- noise and vibration
- exposure to chemicals, radiation, extreme heat or cold
- stress
- violence from members of the public.
EU-“Quality of work and employment: A policy tool towards an inclusive and sustainable growth” ()The EU-OSHA Director, Dr. Christa Sedlatschek, will participate at a Joint Conference of the European Parliament and Eurofound on April 12 2012 to discuss the inclusive dimensions of a “good work” perspective for men and women, for young and older people. |
UK, HSE, asbestos e-learning pack: Introduction to asbestos learning package ()An interactive lesson for apprentices about asbestos and its dangers This 45 minute interactive lesson with supporting activities and materials is aimed primarily at trades apprentices in the 16 - 19 age group, for delivery by college lecturers and other vocational education providers. |
UK, HSE, How HSE complies with its equality duties ()HSE's Commitment to the Equality Duty The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality in our policies and in our dealings with our staff. We are committed to all aspects of equality with overarching objectives covering all equality strands. |
DE-Multitasking "don´t disturb" - guidance on how to avoid stress and overload (in German) ()The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has just published a brochure on how to tackle stress and overload linked to frequent interruptions and the demand for multitasking. The brochure is one of the outcomes of a project that attempted to identify good working practices to support an ageing working population. |
EU - Eurofound, Report of the European Parliament seminar on youth employment ()Working together for youth employment - From education to the workplace: a global challenge: On June 2011, a seminar on Youth and Employment was hosted by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and jointly organised by four European agencies: Cedefop, ETF, EU-OSHA and Eurofound. |
EU- Evidence-base policy conference "Youth and Social Inclusion" ()'Social inclusion of youth on the margins of society: more opportunities, better access, and higher solidarity' In support of the "Youth on the Move" and "European platform against poverty" Flagship Initiatives, on 17 - 18 November 2011 the European Commission's Research & Innovation DG held an evidence-based and policy-oriented conference on "Youth and Social Inclusion". |
UK - HSE, Frequently asked questions – catering and hospitality ()The UK Health and Safety Executive has published online a range of ‘frequently asked questions’ on health and safety issues relating to catering operations. |
FR-Third report on national action plan on cancer published ()France has an integrated national action plan on cancer that addresses public, environmental and occupational health issues jointly. Is is planned to be applied in synergy with the national action plan on health and work (plan national santé travail). Regular reports provides summary information about activities and results. Mention is also made of complementary reports providing more detailed information on the activities, legislative acts and guidance documents. |
Younger workers: Health and safety aspects of working life ()Younger workers are vulnerable, as they often are inexperienced, and ignorant of risks to themselves and others. It is important to integrate safety and health into education so that young people are aware of the risks they might face and are capable of dealing with them. It is also important for employers to pay extra attention to the safety of young workers, including students taking summer jobs. EU-OSHA highlighted some of these aspects in a blog produced for International Youth Day on the 12th August |
UK - IOSH, Safety of young employees at work discussed at Eurosafe conference ()The safety of young employees at work was one of the workshops at the annual Eurosafe conference held in Budapest in June. It is an important issue as over half a million young workers were injured in the EU in 2007. |
European Photo Competition: The deadline for submission of entries is 31st August 2011. Don’t miss your chance to win a top prize of €3,000 ()The competition calls for entries on the theme of ‘safety and health in the workplace’, with a special focus on risk prevention. All photographers – professional or amateur – are invited to submit their entries before 31 August 2011. The three best photographs are selected according to their creativity and originality, as well as universal European appeal. This year for the first time there will be a special youth prize for participants under 21 years of age! Latest news and updates through the competition’s Facebook and Flickr pages |
UK - IOSH, UK’s OSH professionals association signs ‘young enterprise charter’ ()IOSH joined organisations across the UK in calling for greater investment in preparing young people for the world of work. |
Working together for youth employment: From education to the workplace, a global challenge ()EU-OSHA, jointly with Cedefop, ETF and Eurofound, along with the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, are to hold a seminar in Brussels on 30th June, in order to present findings and formulate options for European policy makers. This seminar is a good opportunity to highlight the complementary work of the agencies in this area and to stimulate political debate about how to ensure a smooth transition from education to workplace, how to provide lifelong guidance and safe and decent jobs for young people, how to take action to help disadvantaged young people and many other interesting issues. |
UK - BSC, Warning over safety and student work experience placements ()BSC, Warning over safety and student work experience placements |
INT - ILO, Children in hazardous work: What we know, what we need to do ()This report reviews the current state of knowledge concerning children in hazardous work and presents the case for a new focus on the issue as part of the wider global effort to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. |
EU - Youth employment: joint seminar by four EU agencies and the European Parliament’s Employment Committee ()Four European agencies, along with the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee which oversees them, are to hold a joint seminar on this topic, in order to present findings and formulate options for European policy makers. |
CAN - Web feature on how to protect young workers updated ()This Web feature provides information on how to protect young workers and help them preserve their rights. |
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and International Women's Day: 100 years on ()International Women's Day |
UK - HSE - Trainee severely injured by meat mincer ()Brighton meat processing company fined £5,000 |
US-NIOSH, Young workers included in WHO Executive Board Resolution Child injury prevention ()Inclusion of Young Workers in WHO Executive Board Resolution 128/15 Child Injury Prevention |
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- Summary - New risks and trends in the safety and health of women at work
- Workplace Violence and Harassment: a European Picture
- OSH in figures: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the EU - Facts and figures
- Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into university education
- Factsheet 94 - Workplace Health Promotion for Employees
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- Case study: Ergonomics for junior schools
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- EU-“Quality of work and employment: A policy tool towards an inclusive and sustainable growth” 02.04.2012
- UK, HSE, asbestos e-learning pack: Introduction to asbestos learning package 12.03.2012
- UK, HSE, How HSE complies with its equality duties 16.02.2012
- DE-Multitasking "don´t disturb" - guidance on how to avoid stress and overload (in German) 15.02.2012
- EU - Eurofound, Report of the European Parliament seminar on youth employment 15.12.2011
