Young persons

A young person is defined as a person between the age of 16 and 18.

Risk assessment

Managers must carry out a risk assessment before a young person starts working. This includes trainees and work experience students.

You must assess risk arising from:

• lack of experience
• not being aware of existing or potential risks
• activities that may involve harmful exposure to biological and chemical agents

Young persons must not be employed if the risk assessment shows that the work:

• is beyond their physical or psychological capacity
• involves harmful exposure to agents which are toxic or carcinogenic
• involves harmful exposure to radiation
• involves the risk of accidents because of lack of experience or training
• is a health risk because of exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise or vibration

Generic risk assessment form (Word, 50 KB, 2 pages)

Restrictions on hours

There are restrictions on the number of hours a young person may work.

These restrictions include:

• not being permitted to work between 10pm and 6am
• not being allowed to work for more than 8 hours a day
• not being allowed to work for more than 40 hours in a week

Young workers must be given a number of breaks.

These breaks include:

• 30 minute break after working 4.5 hours
• 12 hours rest in every 24 hour period worked
• 2 days off each week - these should be consecutive days off where practicable

Related document

Generic risk assessment fillable form template (Word, 132 KB, 2 pages)