With the number of accidents involving young workers rising over the last year, Insurance Coverage provider Aviva has asked companies to ensure a safer work environment through training and safety equipment.

A number of cases came to light during the past year, involving mostly workers under the age of 21. Machinery and power equipment were a factor in a large number of these. Highlighting some of them, Phil Grace, Aviva’s liability risk manager said that younger people have a lower perception of risk, contributed by their lack of experience and maturity. This can lead to their attempting dangerous work without following the correct guidelines or safety procedures.

One example was the case of a 17-year old trainee plasterer, who was working for three straight days and suffered from flesh wounds, nerve damage and reduced eyesight when he came in contact with caustic from the plaster being used. Another case was of an 18-year old who was driving a mini-digger. In trying to lower the roll bar, which was there to prevent the digger from turning over, he ended up with crushed fingers.

Grace said that a risk assessment of young workers was mandatory under the Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations of 1997. In addition, employees had to be trained in safety and control measures, and their parents or guardians had to be made aware of the risks involved with the job. Good risk management would not only ensure safety, it would also protect the business, he added.

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