Young Workers Need Special Attention
15 October, 2007
While we all are mindful about raising awareness for Safe Work Australia Week, here is a topic to consider : Safety Snippets edition October 2007 presented this article, and the statistics are frightening - 20 young workers between the ages of 15 and 25 are being hurt or killed on the job every day. Because young workers lack experience and are generally unfamiliar with workplace procedures, WorkCover New South Wales has developed an interactive website to help them.
The website, www.youngworkers.com.au contains contests, games, downloads and screensavers designed to inform young employees about work hazards and safe work practices that take their age and experience into account.
Often, young workers find employment in unskilled physical tasks that include a lot of manual handling. On the Young Workers website, a section on manual handling walks young workers through what manual handling is, how hazards can affect them, how to reduce risks, safety steps and more.
The website does this in an easy to read and understandable manner. Young workers can also benefit from publications linked to the site ranging from hairdressing and nail technician health and safety to the safe use of tractors and managing slips and falls.
For more information, go to www.youngworkers.com.au