SSSTS Induction Training & Young Workers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What legal definition is used for a 'young person' under health and safety legislation?
- A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age (Correct answer)
- A person under 21
- A person in the first year of an apprenticeship regardless of age
- A person under 25 in their first job
Correct answer: A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, a 'young person' is defined as anyone who has not yet reached the age of 18. A 'child' is a person below the minimum school leaving age. Different provisions apply to each category.
Question 2: What is the principal hazard for young workers on a construction site compared with experienced adults?
- Lack of experience and inability to recognise hazards, combined with a tendency to underestimate risk and comply with peer pressure (Correct answer)
- Physical weakness making them unable to carry heavy loads
- Young workers are less likely to have accidents than experienced workers
- Young workers have more accidents only due to their physical size
Correct answer: Lack of experience and inability to recognise hazards, combined with a tendency to underestimate risk and comply with peer pressure
Young workers are at greater risk because they lack the experience to recognise hazards that experienced workers take for granted, they may underestimate risk, they may comply with peer pressure to take shortcuts, and they may be reluctant to raise concerns.
Question 3: What work is prohibited for young workers under UK health and safety legislation?
- Work involving serious and specific risks to their health, safety and development that cannot be adequately controlled (Correct answer)
- All work with power tools
- All work at height
- All work involving manual handling
Correct answer: Work involving serious and specific risks to their health, safety and development that cannot be adequately controlled
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, young persons must not be employed in work that is beyond their physical or psychological capacity, involves harmful exposure to agents, or involves risks to health from extreme cold, heat, noise or vibration that cannot be adequately controlled.
Question 4: What type of additional supervision is required for young workers on a construction site?
- More frequent, active supervision — being present during tasks, checking understanding and giving immediate feedback, more so than for experienced adult workers (Correct answer)
- No additional supervision is required for young workers who hold a CSCS card
- Supervision is only increased if the young worker makes a mistake
- Standard supervision is always sufficient regardless of age
Correct answer: More frequent, active supervision — being present during tasks, checking understanding and giving immediate feedback, more so than for experienced adult workers
Young workers require closer and more active supervision than experienced adults. The supervisor should be present during tasks, not just available. Checking whether the young worker has understood instructions, monitoring their work closely and providing immediate, constructive feedback is essential.
Question 5: What is the responsibility of an employer before employing a young person as a worker for the first time?
- Carry out a risk assessment specific to the young person before they start work and, if they are a child (under school leaving age), inform the parent or guardian (Correct answer)
- Issue them with a CSCS card
- Require them to complete a 4-week induction programme
- Notify the HSE before the young person starts work
Correct answer: Carry out a risk assessment specific to the young person before they start work and, if they are a child (under school leaving age), inform the parent or guardian
Before a young person starts work for the first time, the employer must complete a risk assessment that specifically considers the hazards relevant to the young person's inexperience. If the young person is a child (under school leaving age), the parent or guardian must be informed.
Question 6: Why is a mentor or buddy system effective for new and young workers on construction sites?
- Pairing a new or young worker with an experienced, safety-conscious colleague provides ongoing guidance, enables questions to be asked without embarrassment and reduces the risk of isolation in an unfamiliar environment (Correct answer)
- It reduces the cost of formal training
- It allows the supervisor to reduce their own supervision duties
- It is only effective for workers new to the industry, not those transferring between sites
Correct answer: Pairing a new or young worker with an experienced, safety-conscious colleague provides ongoing guidance, enables questions to be asked without embarrassment and reduces the risk of isolation in an unfamiliar environment
A buddy or mentor system pairs new or young workers with experienced colleagues who can provide practical guidance, answer questions informally, model safe behaviour, and raise concerns on the new worker's behalf. It is particularly effective in the critical early weeks on a new site.
SSSTS Induction Training & Young Workers 2
What legal definition is used for a 'young person' under health and safety legislation?