APPRENTICES LAURENCE ANTCLIFF HIA Hunter Apprentice Manager KEEPING YOUNG WORKERS SAFE Ensuring all new workers are familiar with health and safety arrangements on your construction site is critical, but young workers in particular require additional support. Apprentices and Young Workers require special WHS to keep them safe. Ensuring all apprentices and new workers are familiar with health and safety arrangements on your construction site is critical, but apprentices and young workers in particular require special treatment. Workers aged 15 to 25 years have a 75 per cent chance of being hurt, with building sites one of the highest risk workplaces. This over-representation in injury statistics compared to older and more experienced workers gives young workers a unique risk profile which means: •they may not perceive when something becomes unsafe •it isn’t effective to rely on them to ask questions or speak up with concerns •it is important to understand the factors that can impact their health and safety. Typical injuries include cuts, lacerations,consuming task to provide Work Method and interests that meet your business bruises, contusions, punctures and Statements and extra training to bring needs. The apprentice is employed by HIA fractures. Young construction workers your apprentice or young workers fully up Apprentices and they take care of all of the arealso more likely to experience manual to speed on potential hazards and safe administration. handling injuries, such as sprains, strainsworking practices, it is a smart investment For 30 years HIA Apprentices has been andtears, from incorrect lifting or movingas well as a legal requirement. helping builders and trade contractors heavy or awkward objects. It is important that you as an employer find and manage the right apprentice all Falls from height are another major riskor host of apprentices identify and supported with ongoing coaching and and building sites usually have numerous understand the type of risks that they are mentoring from a dedicated apprentice pitfalls such as ladders, floor openings, likely to encounter and then, ensure that youfield officer. roofs, scaffolds and stairs. have implemented a safety management So if you are looking for an apprentice, One reason why apprentices and young system. This will ensure that you meet your call HIA Apprentices on 1300 650 620 or workers are more vulnerable is they are lesscompliance requirements to minimise risk, visit hia.com.au likely to recognise and be able to cope withexposure and injury to your apprentice or potential hazards. This requires knowledge,young worker. Stratco has been helping skills and experience only gained by time HIA Apprentices can assist you with HIA Apprentices build a better future for on the job. On a building site, this apprentice safety through our ongoing more than 20 years. inexperience and lack of awareness can commitment to apprentice safety and increase the chances of being injured or management. causing an injury. HIA Apprentices’ experienced staff will So while it might feel like a time- ensure you get an apprentice with skills BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 5/2018P17