Safety of apprentices under focus by RoSPA

An inquiry is being launched into the health and safety of people working as apprentices, conducted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

To make sure that young trainees are safe at their place of work, the inquiry will concentrate on the arrangements that have been put in place to ensure the safety of apprentices, no doubt including the use of safety workwear or PPE.

The inquiry has been initiated by the National Occupational Safety and Health Committee (NOSHC), which will ensure that all the correct training is provided to apprentices, along with provision of development opportunities, to reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring and save lives.

As apprentices are generally young and inexperienced, they are more likely to suffer injury at work, requiring greater protection from the employer. The inquiry will focus on objectives for apprentices and how they are met, any potential hazards that exist and whether any previous incidents have been learned from. It will also look at practices that are working well in an organisation and how the standards can be maintained in the workplace.

The policy adviser for occupational health and safety, Dr. Karen McDonnell, said that it is crucial that apprentices are given training to help them to stay safe while at work, and also to help them become leaders in the world of health and safety. McDonnell added that it is the responsibility of the employer to keep apprentices healthy and safe while attending the workplace.