Purpose

1. Helping young people to manage health and safety risks in the workplace: BSC Entry Level Award in Workplace Hazard Awareness Paul Gordon Policy and Research Manager British Safety Council (BSC)London Health & Safety Forum , 8th June 2010

2. To review the risks faced by young people at work To look at ways to manage these risks…including a new education programme for schools introduced by the British Safety Council Coverage British Safety Council - who we are, mission, objectives and charitable work Injury and fatality rates involving young workers Why are young workers at greater risk and how do we manage this? Example initiative: BSC Award in Workplace Hazard Awareness; aim, benefits and lessons learned How you can help? Purpose

3. British Safety Council One of the UK’s leading health and safety organisations founded in 1957. 8,500 member companies in over 50 countries worldwideMission is to support a healthier, safer and more sustainable society through a variety of activities;- Training, advisory, qualifications and audit services- Conferences, events and award schemes- Campaigning and shaping public policy Our charitable projects; - Free Entry Level qualifications for all 14-19 year old in full-time education- Free training and qualifications for those not in education, employment or training - Working for a safe London Olympics in 2012

5. Incident ratesA young person is seriously injured in a UK workplace every 40 minutesIn the UK, in the last decade, 66 under-19s have been killed at work EU sources show that the incident rate of non-fatal accidents at work per 100,000 workers was more than 40% higher among those aged 18-24 Research indicates that young, inexperienced, workers are more than 5 times more likely to be injured during their first 4 weeks on the job There is believed to be widespread under-reporting of workplace injuries involving young people (employers reluctant to report accidents, young workers wish to avoid being seen as a ‘complainer’)

6. Contributing factors Lack of experience and training – young workers are often less experienced with less knowledge of workplace hazards than the average worker Physically demanding work - young workers experience physically demanding working conditions more often than the average worker. Young workers are more likely to partake in lower grade, manual tasks Irregular working arrangements - young workers often work irregular hours. Shift work can increase the risk of workplace injury. Working at night can lead to a higher risk of accident due to the lower number of workers and supervisors

7. How can we reduce the incident rate?Educate young workers; greater commitment to improve education and training in schools and the workplaceEducate employers; to provide better training and supervision for young workers. Promote best practice, worker involvement and positive safety cultureEnforcement; tougher sentencing for rogue employers sends out a strong message Special focus on construction and agriculture; these sectors account for the largest percentage of incidents involving young workers Sensible, proportionate management of risk; – not ‘cotton wool’ society, nor over regulation. Instead, focus on education…

8. What is your council doing to manage these risks faced by young workers? What arrangements do they have in place to protect young people either on work experience placements or in their first job? What is your council doing?

9. BSC Entry Level Award in Workplace Hazard AwarenessA free qualification aimed at keeping young people healthy and safe at work:

10. BSC Entry Level Award in Workplace Hazard AwarenessAimTo raise young people’s awareness of workplace hazards before they embark on work experience or their first jobThere is no provision of accredited workplace health & safety training for young people in the National Curriculum

11. Benefits to schoolsAccredited in UK National Qualifications FrameworkCan be taught within existing programmes of study Supported by free teaching resourcesTeachers are able to deliver the qualification without the need for additional training Contributes to UK school performance figures Important component of UK 14-19 DiplomaSupported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

12. Benefits to young people Help to keep them safe on work experience or in first job Raise awareness of important health and safety issues Increase confidence and self esteem A recognised, accredited qualification

13. Subject content Mapped to National Occupational Standards for Health and SafetyIncludes:Identification of hazards Safety, fire and traffic signs in the workplaceCauses of fire and preventative action Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal hygieneFirst aid provisionReporting accidents, near misses and ill healthResponsibilities of the employer and employee

14. DeliverySuggested that schools deliver the qualification as part of build-up to work experience8 hours recommended to complete learning and assessment Assessed by a simple portfolio of evidence Other suggestions; School Workplace Hazard Awareness Day, invite local employers to give talks about workplace hazards, take part in BSC poster/video competitionsProgression route…Students can progress to the (higher level) BSC Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work

15. A great start . . .Launched in academic year 2007/20081,800 schools (35% of UK total) have participated in this voluntary programme 50,000 young people have received the qualification to date

17. “ This is a very positive development. The pupils have benefited enormously and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience ” Anita Cook, Head Teacher, Bedwas High School “ They have enjoyed the learning and will go on work experience confident of how to be safe at work. This has been a wonderful opportunity for them ” Alex Hammond, Head Teacher, Hagley High School “ As a major employer, we fully support this excellent initiative to provide workplace hazard awareness training to school pupils” Russell Drakeley, Health & Safety Manager, Birmingham International Airport

18. Why has it been successful?Assessment and training is free (funded by the British Safety Council)High quality of teaching resources Flexible methods of delivery Teacher training is not requiredRelevant and appropriate subject matter Engaging and fun for the students Qualification is recognised / accredited by UK Regulatory Authorities

19. Evaluating the impact of the programme In 2010, BSC is conducting research to evaluate the impact of this qualification upon young people Research aims to determine its effectiveness in keeping young people healthy and safe in the workplace Undertaken by surveys and interviews with participating students, before/after completed the course and completed work experience Preliminary results expected in July 2010

20. The next 10 years… The British Safety Council has committed £5 million of charitable reserves to fund the programme over the next 10 years The programme is now available in British International Schools GAP year and volunteer schemes are delivering training to schools in developing countries BSC is keen to work with local authorities, education bodies, schools and young people to continue to extend this training….

21. Help us to promote the benefits of this programme to schools in your area… It is easy for schools to register (online) Remember: this is a charitable programme and it is free for schools to participate How you can help

22. Help to support a nationwide charitable initiative which has already benefitted 50,000 young people Be part of the campaign to help lower the frequency of injuries and deaths involving young workers The challenge is to become the first London borough to have every secondary school registered to deliver the programme! Contribute to a healthier, safer society The benefits for you…

23. www.britsafe.org/schools Telephone: 020 8600 1035 Email: schools@britsafe.org Thank you!