With the school year over many teenagers will be looking to start their careers via apprentice schemes, but are businesses doing enough to adequately protect our young workers?

Unfortunately, the Health and Safety Executive is reporting far too many cases where young people are being badly injured at work. This could be for a number of reasons, but it is clear that companies need to make sure their health and safety policies cover all workers whatever their age.

We have produced our top tips to help small to medium- sized businesses maintain a safe place of work:

• You should bear in mind the level of risk your apprentices may be exposed to during the time they are working for you. It may even be necessary for you to carry out a separate risk assessment (e.g . for young or inexperienced workers) or take special measures, as you will owe them a greater duty of care than an experienced staff member, and they should be treated and protected accordingly
• Check your Employers Liability insurance covers your apprentices. Any organisation with employees is obliged under the Employers Liability (compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 to take out appropriate insurance cover. You are required by law to have employers’ liability insurance for people who you employ under a contract of service or apprenticeship.
• Ensure an effective training program is in place for your apprentices.
• There are specific regulations that require your premises and equipment to be in safe condition. This can be achieved by regular reviews of your health and safety processes. This means routinely checking the condition of the building and equipment, including protective clothing, and carrying out any necessary upgrades of safety procedures before a serious incident occurs.

By taking the required action to assess the risks faced in your business and then implementing steps to reduce them, not only will you meet your legal requirements and protect your workers, you could also benefit from potentially lower insurance premiums.

If you would like to discuss these tips or could benefit from some independent advice please get in touch.