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School leavers starting work
When a school-leaver starts work, they are often very excited about receiving a salary and are keen to get
to their new job and start earning.
Unfortunately, not all workplace environments are as safe or as carefully monitored as others and some, especially those involving manual labour, are not that safe at all. They could pose a big threat to the new employee and young people have been warned not to let their first job be the death of them.
Numerous teenagers have been killed or seriously hurt in work accidents throughout the UK in the last five years and employers have been told by unions to get their act together and recognise and accept their legal responsibilities. Around 250 employees (across all industries and ages) die in fatal work-related accidents in the UK each year.
School leavers and the construction industry
Despite this fact, several programmes have been launched to woo school leavers into the construction
industry, despite the high number of work accidents that take place in this industry - more than any other.
There is also a high demand for other skilled manual labour roles that have high-risk safety
considerations through the use of tools, like agriculture and manufacturing.
Many young people are not aware of their rights, of their employer's obligations, and what measures they can take to protect themselves at work, such as asking for safer tools or equipment if they believe the ones they are using are worn and damaged.
Accidents can be avoided
The sad truth is that many work accidents and health problems that school leavers potentially face in their
first job can be avoided. Loss of life, loss of limbs and serious life-threatening illnesses and diseases
acquired at work are not always 'in a day's work' and young employees should join their union, know their
rights and stand up for themselves.
Employers are often motivated to protect employees solely by the idea that they will lose money if their production line, and the staff working on it, are not moving along at optimum speed. It is not necessarily because they are ultimately concerned with the health of their employees.
The risks to their business productivity through injuries, sick days and legal costs is often ultimately the main concern, but this is still enough of a financial incentive to ensure that they take steps to create a safer workplace environment and reduce work accidents. But young workers should still look out for themselves.
Don't take risks - protect yourself
Things you should watch out for and pay attention to if you are a school leaver starting a job involving
manual labour include:
And remember, if you think machinery or any equipment you are using is not safe, don't use it. It is also your responsibility to point out to your supervisor or employer if you think your security and safety is at risk.
Places of work are becoming safer as more and more legislation is introduced to protect workers, but the sad fact remains that too many people, often youngsters, are killed or receive serious personal injuries as a result of work accidents.
It is only through guidance and education that lives can be saved and it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that they provide adequate training to new starters.
Then, and only then, can young lives start to be saved.
This article may be published on another website free of charge, on the condition that a link is provided from this article to our website: http://www.youclaim.co.uk
