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Young Persons and Children at Work

For the purposes of Health and Safety legislation, a young person is anyone above the official minimum school leaving age (MSLA) and under the age of 18, and a child is normally referred to as anyone under the MSLA. Please note health and safety terminology differs to ‘safeguarding’ definitions.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Registered Student
Where a young person is a registered student, the University has the same responsibility, in terms of health and safety (h&s), as it has for all other students, whilst considering potential risks which could arise because of the young person’s inexperience, awareness of existing or potential risks and/or lack of maturity (physical and mental). Additional Safeguarding matters will also apply.

Visiting
Where a child or young person is visiting the University, the inviting College or Service should have considered heightened risks to that child from activities. The University, through Campus Services, will do all that is reasonable to make sure these areas are fit for purpose and do not pose a risk. See Health and Safety Service (bangor.ac.uk) for further health and safety information.

Employee and Work Experience - See also next section on Hazards and Risk Assessment
Where the young person or child is attending the University for work experience or as an employee, the University has the same responsibilities and duties as for all other staff and will do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure their safety whilst on University property and whilst participating in University-led activities.

Where a young person wishes to gain Work Experience at the University, the host College or Professional Service must follow specific procedures for the protection of children. , normally at least 8 weeks prior to the placement.

It is highlighted that a young person obtaining work experience at the University will, in terms of health and safety controls, be treated as an ‘inexperienced’ employee, with suitable health and safety management controls and supervision employed, which considers additional risks because of their immaturity.

The University has the same responsibilities and duties to young persons as we do for all other staff. That is, to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure their safety whilst on university property and whilst participating in University-led activities.

Hazards and Risk Assessment

The host College/Service must consider existing h&s risk assessments to confirm these are appropriate and suitably consider the following key aspects of many children and young persons:

• the possible lack of experience or maturity
• they may not have reached physical maturity and lack strength to do certain tasks
• may be over-eager to impress or please people they work with
• may be unaware of how to raise concerns
• may be unaware of existing or potential risks and may not perceive risk in the same way as work colleagues
• may have health conditions or learning difficulties

If the young person is working in a higher-risk environment, you must consider exposures to the following, and assess the current control measures and exposure levels. Examples of which might be radiation, toxic substances, noise, vibration, or extreme temperatures.

Specific Restrictions: The following specific restrictions, both from legislation and University Policies, apply to the work young persons under 18 and under 16 may undertake whilst on a University work experience placement.

Please be aware of these and the legal age limits with regards some machinery, materials, and equipment. .

Important: Risk assessments must be made available and shared with the young person's parent, carer, school, or guardian, as appropriate.

Information, Training, and Supervision

Sufficient instruction, training, and supervision is essential, as it may be the first time a young person or child has been in a work setting. Instructions and training must be clear, and you must check to make sure they understand everything you have communicated with them, so they appreciate the importance of the health and safety hazards and risks, and don't put themselves or others at risk. This includes being aware of what they can and cannot do, who to speak to if they have concerns, and what to do in an emergency.

As young persons may need more supervision than experienced adults, you may want to consider appointing more than one supervisor. Ensure they are aware of how to raise concerns if unsure on any instructions, and check progress more often than you normally would. In some cases, the supervisors may require authorisation with regards to Safeguarding.

Induction

Just as with new starters an on-site induction to cover local rules and procedures with regards health, safety and environmental arrangements should be undertaken as soon as possible.

• Example of a Health and Safety Induction Checklist for Staff and Visitors
• Example of a Health and Safety Induction Checklist for Work Experience

Further Information

• Children on University Premises
• Information Sheet on the Health and Safety of Children on university Premises and participating in University led activities
• , for example Work Experience
• HSE's information
• : Regulation 19 - Protection of young persons