Specific Risk Assessments For Young People (Under 18)

Younger People under 18 Who Need Permission or Looking After

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 outlines the general duties of employers and employees, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 is more specific about what these groups of people need to do to protect their health and safety whilst at work, for example the needs of vulnerable people, the elderly, young children or those with disabilities.

Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 refers to a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks which include the risk assessments need to consider young people (those under 18 years of age) where it applies. The assessment needs to be reviewed and amended on a regular basis.

Recommendation in a fire risk assessment:  Fire Safety Management requires for the responsible persons to ensure that young people under the age of 18) working in their premises, on an occasional basis or short or permanent contract receive specific attention due to their insufficient experience, lack of awareness of risks and immaturity. At the same time parent(s) must be informed of the work they are undertaking. The work should not be harmful or damaging to young people and young people should be shadowed and not left alone to carry out any work. They must be fully familiar with the layout of their workplace and regular fire drills should be carried out so they are aware of the action and shortest routes to be taken during an evacuation, and how to behave and where to assemble. Good housekeeping is paramount and emergency routes must be free of any obstructions.

In the case of younger children, the location of a childcare facility within a building should be on the ground floor with exits directly leading outside to a place of safety, but where this is not the case, the location should be near a safe compartment which is near the ground floor and which has a shorter walk to the final exit as possible. All electrical equipment must be regularly PAT tested and nothing should be stored or placed near heaters. Regularly check that circuits are not overloaded and all equipment is shut off at night, this must be carried out by trained staff. They must also report and remove any faulty or damaged electrical equipment. The facility must be kept free of any harmful substances. Staff need to be trained to sustain good housekeeping and exit paths are kept free of clutter for safe and easy evacuation. Exit signs, in accordance with BS ISO 3864-1, must be clearly displayed for easy evacuation. Regular fire drills must take place for familiarity and quick responsiveness, therefore a fire evacuation plan must be written up so that all staff know what to do and when. Facilities with young children ought to be equipped with a L1 or L2.