Category Archives: Health and Safety


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Managing the health and safety of young workers

Due to their lack of maturity, experience and hazard awareness, young people may perceive risk differently to more practiced employees. There is also a raft of various regulatory instruments in place to limit young people’s exposure to specific physical, chemical and biological risks as they are at increased danger of harm from these. This article looks at the factors employers need to consider to instil safe behaviour among a young workforce.

A young person is defined in legislation as any person under the age of 18 who is not a child, i.e. someone who has not yet reached the minimum school leaving age of 16.

In terms of the health and safety of young workers, there are two primary considerations for employers when it comes to reviewing their risk assessment.

  1. How young people behave compared to more experienced workers.
  2. Preventing young person’s exposure to specific risks as they may be more vulnerable to harm.

Lack of training and experience

Before a young person starts work, the employer’s risk assessment must take into account a young person’s lack of experience, training and awareness of risk as well as their immaturity.

Risk assessments need not be overly burdensome or bureaucratic, eg in an office or shop environment, the organisation’s generic risk assessment is likely to be sufficient and the control measures in place are likely to be familiar to young persons. However, in higher-risk environments, consideration needs to be given to how young people may be influenced or pressured into unsafe work practices by older colleagues or peers, how they may be curious and act unpredictably despite any instructions or training they may have been given to the contrary or how they may also deliberately violate rules and procedures, eg in feeling pressure to get a task done, they take shortcuts.

Appropriate control measures in these cases include:

  • clear, simple information and instructions for each work task, the hazards present and control measures required
  • risk assessments including assessment or work-related stressors
  • remove imposed work/production targets for young people until they are able to reach the required standards
  • close supervision and/or job shadowing with a more experienced staff member
  • remove the need to work shifts, where possible, and limit unsociable hours.

Specific risks

In higher-risk environments, such as in assembly, industrial or construction sites, along with considerations of a young person’s lack of maturity and experience, specific risk factors also need to be reviewed and additional arrangements are likely to be required.

Exposure to physical hazards

Young persons have a physical immaturity and an increased risk of musculoskeletal damage as bones and supporting muscles are not fully developed until a person is approximately age 25. This means high levels or prolonged periods of exposure to vibration — particularly low-frequency whole-body vibration — should be avoided.

Young people may be less skilled in handling and moving techniques or in pacing their work tasks to match their capacity. Other jobs that require repetitive or forceful movements, particularly when in association with awkward posture and/or insufficient recovery time, should be given careful consideration. Manual handling of tools and equipment to assist with difficult handling tasks, introduction of task rotation and provision of sufficient rest breaks may be necessary.

Young people should not be permitted to use high-risk lifting machinery such as cranes, lifting accessories and construction site hoists, unless they have had the appropriate level of competence and training. As part of their training, they may use such equipment, providing they are adequately supervised. Adequate supervision should also be provided after training if a young person is considered not sufficiently mature.

The duty to carry out periodic, thorough examinations or inspections of lifting equipment or the planning and supervision of lifting operations, should not be placed on a young person but discharged by a competent adult employee.

Young persons should also not be permitted to use high-risk work equipment (such as abrasive wheels, circular saws, power presses and band saws), apart from during training which is adequately supervised.

The dose limit of ionising radiation should be set at a lower level than that for other employees — doses must not exceed 6mSv in any calendar year.

Exposure to chemical hazards

Many chemical agents can have adverse health effects on young people, although they are typically not considered to be at any greater risk than other employees and control measures currently in place to prevent employee exposure are likely to be sufficient for young people also. Safety data sheets will provide full details on specific agents.

However, a lack of perception of danger may prevent young people from recognising “invisible” or long-term health effects that may take many years to develop. For this reason, specific prohibitions are in place around agents such as lead and asbestos.

Young persons may not be involved with specific lead smelting and refining processes or in lead battery manufacturing process. Exposure to lead alkyls is particularly hazardous and its absorption into the body can produce a rapid toxic effect. Employers should ensure that adequate and proper safeguards are in force to protect the health of any young person employed on storage-tank cleaning work, which could potentially expose them to lead alkyls.

Younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related disease than older workers. This is due to the time it takes for the body to develop symptoms after exposure to asbestos. Similar concerns exist for exposure to silica dust in the construction industry leading to silicosis and other related lung diseases. Employers need to give information about the impact of these risks and the serious potential consequences of exposure to young people in their employment.

Exposure to biological hazards

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens recommends that young people do not handle animals infected with biological agents assigned to hazard group 4, ie those that cause severe human disease, pose a serious risk to employees, are likely to spread to the community and that have no effective prophylaxis or treatment available.

Duties of young persons

In turn, employers should inform young persons of their legal responsibilities towards the employer. This means following any safety arrangements implemented for their protection, including attending training sessions and complying with control measures, not acting in a manner that adversely affects their own health and safety and/or the health and safety of anyone else and to report any perceived or real shortcomings in protection levels to their employer.

In conclusion, a key component in managing the health and safety of young persons is the ongoing communication of safety messages and the guidance of mentors/supervisors to reinforce the true level of risk among young people and improving their perceptions of risk through training.

Contact us for further information.

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Summer Safety at Work: Staying Cool, Alert and Protected

wellbeing servicesAs the UK heads into summer, longer days and (hopefully!) warmer weather bring a seasonal boost—but also fresh health and safety challenges for both indoor and outdoor workers.

Whether you’re managing a construction site, waste operations, grounds maintenance or logistics, it’s essential to adjust your approach as the environment changes. Here are some timely reminders and practical tips to help keep your workforce safe and productive through the warmer months.

🌡️ Heat Stress Is a Real Risk

Even in Britain, when temperatures rise suddenly, our bodies—and working practices—need time to adjust.

Watch out for signs of heat stress:

  • Headaches, dizziness, nausea
  • Excessive sweating or, conversely, no sweating (a late sign)
  • Confusion or irritability
  • Muscle cramps

What can employers do?

  • Provide shaded rest areas or break shelters
  • Allow more frequent breaks, especially in high-heat jobs
  • Adjust shift times to avoid working during peak midday sun
  • Provide plenty of cool drinking water (and encourage regular hydration!)

👷 PPE in the Heat

Workers still need PPE—no matter the weather—but some kit can make hot conditions worse.

Tips:

  • Choose lighter-weight, breathable PPE that meets standards
  • Encourage staff to report discomfort so alternatives can be sourced
  • Promote good hygiene and provide wipes or cooling towels

🧴 Sun Protection

Sunburn isn’t just uncomfortable—it increases long-term skin cancer risk.

Encourage outdoor staff to:

  • Use high-factor (SPF 30+) sunscreen
  • Wear wide-brimmed hats or neck protectors where helmets aren’t mandatory
  • Wear UV-rated clothing if possible

Remember: UV exposure can still be high on cloudy days.

🚜 Vehicle & Machinery Checks

Warm weather can increase strain on vehicles, especially those used in waste, construction, and logistics. Watch for:

  • Overheating engines
  • Tyre pressure changes
  • Hot surfaces that could burn (e.g. metal grab handles)

Top tip: Remind operators to do visual and hands-on checks at the start of each shift.

🧠 Stay Mentally Sharp

Heat can impact concentration. That increases the risk of mistakes, near misses, or accidents—especially in safety-critical roles.

What helps:

  • Promoting a culture where workers can speak up when feeling unwell
  • Encouraging team leaders to monitor fatigue
  • Rotating staff between more and less physically demanding tasks

In Summary

Summer brings its own safety risks—but they’re all manageable with forward planning, open communication, and proactive support.

Review your risk assessments, update your toolbox talks, and check that your team knows how to spot early signs of heat-related illness. Most importantly, remind them that their health comes first—no task is worth risking long-term harm.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy the sunshine (responsibly)!

Here is a toolbox talk to provide to staff. Click Toolbox_Talk_Summer_Safety

Contact us for further information.

 

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Celebrating 15 Years of Walker Health & Safety Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact us if you wish to discuss your health and safety requirements 🙂

Health and Safety Consultants | Telford, Shropshire, West Midlands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Men’s Health Awareness Week – June 9th-15th

Next week (9–15 June) is Men’s Health Week, and it’s a great opportunity for us to take a moment to reflect on how we look after ourselves and each other—physically and mentally.

Men’s health is often overlooked or quietly pushed aside, but it’s something we all need to take seriously. This year’s theme encourages small steps toward better health—whether that’s getting more active, checking in on stress, or just having open conversations.

Companies should consider sharing a few useful tips and resources around their departments:

  • Everyday mental wellbeing
  • Physical health checks
  • Healthy habits for busy lives
  • Starting conversations that matter

It’s not about big changes—just small actions that make a real difference.

Let’s keep the conversation going. If anyone has ideas or wants to share resources or activities during the week, feel free to get involved!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact us for further information.

#healthandsafetymanagement

#riskassessments 

#compliance 

#training 

 

 

 

 

 

Published · Updated

Health & Safety Focus: Managing Outdoor Work in the Summer Heat

wellbeing servicesAs we move into summer, June brings rising temperatures and increased outdoor activity, especially in industries such as construction, agriculture, logistics, and grounds maintenance. While the sun may boost morale, it also presents serious health and safety risks. Heat stress, dehydration, and UV exposure can all affect employee health and performance—and if not managed properly, can lead to serious incidents.

This month, we explore how employers can effectively manage hot weather risks to keep staff safe, comfortable, and productive.

Key Risks of Working in Hot Weather

  1. Heat Stress
    This occurs when the body can’t cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and confusion—dangerous conditions on any site.
  2. Dehydration
    Dehydration reduces concentration, slows reaction times, and increases the risk of accidents.
  3. Sun Exposure
    Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburn and, in the long term, skin cancer.
  4. Fatigue
    Hot conditions can increase the physical and mental load on workers, leading to fatigue and reduced awareness—especially hazardous when operating machinery or working at height.

Employer Responsibilities

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health—including managing environmental risks like heat.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require employers to assess risks (such as heat stress) and take appropriate control measures.

Practical Tips for Employers

  1. Schedule Smart
    Plan strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon) and rotate work to avoid prolonged exposure.
  2. Hydration Stations
    Ensure fresh drinking water is easily accessible and remind workers to hydrate regularly.
  3. Provide Shade and Cooling Breaks
    Create shaded rest areas and encourage frequent breaks—especially during peak heat.
  4. Issue Sun Protection PPE
    Supply wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved breathable clothing, and high-SPF sunscreen as part of PPE provisions.
  5. Train for Awareness
    Educate staff on recognising signs of heat-related illness and encourage a “look out for each other” culture.
  6. Monitor Vulnerable Workers
    Pay extra attention to those with health conditions, new starters, and lone workers who may not report symptoms as readily.

Industry Example – Telford-Based Outdoor Workforces

Local Telford businesses—such as those in grounds keeping, road works, and warehousing with outdoor exposure—can benefit from proactive planning. Companies are well-placed to lead by example, demonstrating how to integrate weather-related risk assessments into daily briefings and RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements).

Conclusion

Heat is more than just a comfort issue—it’s a serious safety concern. By planning ahead, engaging staff, and adapting working practices, employers can meet legal obligations and protect their teams from the risks of summer work.

June is the perfect time to review your heat management plans and ensure everyone stays safe under the sun.

If you would like further information, please contact us.