Help for young workers starting out to avoid workplace injuries

There are fears young workers are vulnerable to getting injured at work because they are afraid to speak up, as figures reveal how many teenagers were hurt on the job in Victoria last year.

Young people in their first jobs need to be aware of their workplace rights.

A new school program has been devised to keep young Victorians safe in their first jobs to avoid horror incidents such as kids being burnt by a chip fryer or cutting a finger in the meat slicer.

The move comes in response to new data showing more than 600 teens were seriously injured in Victorian workplaces last year.

The free WorkSafe 101 program has been created for high schools. The interactive tutorials teaches secondary students about their health and safety rights before they enter the workplace.

A still from one of the WorkSafe training modules for Victorian secondary school students.

Many young workers are often afraid to speak up and more likely to accept unsafe work conditions, WorkSafe research found.

They lack the knowledge, experience and awareness about occupational health and safety, WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said.

The WorkSafe 101 program has been created for high schools.

“We owe it to young workers to give them the knowledge to work safely and the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t feel right,” Dr Beer said.

Last year WorkSafe accepted 615 claims from workers aged 19 or younger. Of those, 264

were casual or part-time workers and 185 apprentices.

Young workers including apprentices are taught their OH&S rights at work.

The most common injuries among teen workers were cuts and amputations (207), traumatic tendon, muscle and ligament injuries (119), fractures (112), musculoskeletal injuries (88), burns (24), and mental injuries (23).

The school program was trialled successfully at Braybrook College with 230 year 9 students and will be rolled out again this year.

The college’s careers and VET co-ordinator Rowena Archer said students were keen to know their workplace rights.

The training program will be rolled out to Victorian secondary schools this year.

“We’ve had experience of students who will report incidents to us, rather than the workplace,’’ Ms Archer said.

“Some students have been physically injured and others bullied at workplaces so it’s important for them to understand that this is important.’’

Maurice Blackburn workplace injury senior lawyer Jenny Tran said young workers were particularly vulnerable to workplace injuries.

“And sometimes these injuries can be really serious,’’ Ms Tran said.

“Because of their young age, they’re still developing their life experiences. They’re not confident or empowered to speak up to someone who is their superior especially if they are an apprentice or it’s their first job.

“When you’re a young worker, you probably have less appreciation for how an injury can really change your life – particularly when we are talking about injuries on the more serious scale involving partial amputations, things like that.’’

Ms Tran said initiations and pranks on inexperienced workers was alarming.

“I’m always so shocked at how cavalier people can be towards other human beings, but especially young workers.

“They’ve got workmates doing some really terrible things as a practical joke and they end up being taken to hospital by ambulance and end up having surgery. It’s not funny anymore.’’

The WorkSafe program includes e-learning modules, workplace videos and activities covering OHS, hazards and why it’s important to speak up.

Dr Beer said starting a first job was a big milestone and “a reason for young workers and their families to feel proud’’.

“Sadly, too many young workers soon find that celebration turns to tragedy.”