As part of the government’s crackdown on excessive health and safety legislation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued new guidance to encourage businesses to offer work experience to young people.
According to the HSE, the effectiveness of the employer’s risk management procedures is what matters. Employers should already be managing risks in their workplaces and are best placed to assess whether or not they need to do anything additional for a new young person joining them.
Judith Hackitt, chair of the HSE, said: “Our revised guidance makes it clear – and easy – for employers and work experience organisers to understand what they need to do.”
In addition, the Association of British Insurers confirmed that, for the purposes of employers’ liability insurance taken out with an insurer that is a member, students on a placement will be treated as current employees and so there is no need to take out additional insurance.
If you have never employed a young person (under 18) before, there are just a few steps that you should take, and these are clearly set out for placement providers on the HSE website.
For more information and advice on any health and safety issues, as well as representation in court cases, please visit our website or contact Jeremy Sirrell or Lara Murray.