YOUNG PERSONS RISK ASSESSMENT |
|
A young persons at work risk assessment is required under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and assesses risks to those in the workplace below the age of 18.
Examples of hazards associated with working with young people may be:
- Inexperience of working environments
- Immaturity
- Lack of task-related training
- Excessively physically demanding work
It is a requirement that the young persons at work risk assessment be carried out by a competent person. Failure to comply with this requirement may render the risk assessment as non-conforming and void.
On a practical level, the main benefit of a young persons at work risk assessment is to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring to a young person at work.
On a legal level, the main benefit of having a young persons at work risk assessment in place is that if a worst-case scenario does happen and a young person at work is harmed, your organisation will have a legal defence.
These benefits rely on the risk assessment being kept up-to-date, and recommendations made in the risk assessment being acted on within a reasonable timeframe.