WorkCover New South Wales has issued a reminder to businesses to pay extra attention to the needs of young workers after two teenage apprentices were seriously injured last week.

An 18-year-old apprentice carpenter was helping move floor sheeting off a pallet with a crane when the sheeting came loose, hitting the teenager and breaking his right leg.

A 16-year-old apprentice carpenter was also injured when a trench he was standing in partially collapsed and a slab of concrete resting on nearby ground fell into the hole and pinned him, causing injuries to his back and legs.

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said young people can often be working in their first job and need supervision and support.

“With thousands of young people entering the workforce for the first time after finishing school and the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period, it is essential for everyone in the workplace to step up and take special care to alert young workers to potential safety hazards,” Mr Watson said.

“Workers aged under 25 may be more vulnerable to workplace safety risks because of their youth and inexperience or reluctance to speak up about safety concerns,” he said.

“Around 12 per cent of all employment injuries and occupational diseases occur among the State’s 572,000 young workers.

“During 2009-10 almost 5,000 compensation claims were lodged by young workers with the most common injuries being muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects.

“Employers should ensure that they have appropriate systems in place to ensure that all workers, including those new to a job or industry, are provided with sufficient training and support to undertake their work safely,” Mr Watson said.

Mr Watson said there are simple things employers and workers can do to help prevent injuries.

Employers, in consultation with their workers should:

  • provide adequate training and supervision in all tasks
  • provide a comprehensive induction
  • identify safety risks and put in place procedures to reduce and control the risks
  • encourage open communication about safety issues.