Young Persons Risk Assessment – What You Need To Know

Young Persons Risk Assessment information for ADL Associates
You are employing a young person (defined as someone under the age of 18). It may be for seasonal or part time work. It may be for a work experience placement. The problem is that young people are, well…young. They are inexperienced and impressionable and prone to doing daft things and they aren’t fully developed and bringing someone like this into your workplace means the undertaking of some serious risk assessment. More specifically, a young persons risk assessment. If you have never undertaken a young persons risk assessment before, then you may like to contact us for some advice. We’ll talk you through the following information:

  • Why do you need a young persons risk assessment?
  • When do you undertake it?
  • What do you include in the risk assessment?
  • What are your legal obligations?

All very good questions. And we’ll bullet point all of the answers for your convenience.

Why do you need a young persons risk assessment?

It’s a legal requirement through The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This particular regulation require a risk assessment covering the young person. For more information, click here to view the legislation and check out sections 3 and 19. The good news is we’ll summarise the key points for your risk assessment in the following sections.

When do you undertake a young persons risk assessment?

It must be completed before the young employee starts work. If the young person is under 16 (perhaps on a work experience placement), the child’s parents and school (if applicable) should be notified of the results of the risk assessment and the controls you have put in place.

What to include in the risk assessment?

Your young persons risk assessment must include:

  • Task details – does it require the use of or exposure to equipment or hazardous substances and what are the effects.
  • Hazards and controls – identify all hazards a young person could be exposed and detail the controls you already have in place that applies to protecting a young person and any others needed.
  • Health and safety training – identify the need for specific training and detail what training will be provided.
  • Supervision – detail who will be responsible for the young person in the workplace.
  • Restriction details – record any specific restrictions for tasks / equipment / chemicals / exposure / vibration / noise / electricity due to their vulnerability, and why.

Are your young persons risk assessments adequate?

After reading this short post; if you are still unsure whether your risk assessment covers all hazards & controls required or you feel some advice is required to keep a young person safe in your workplace then contact us today.