Call for health and safety training for young workers

Three MEPs have called for employers to do more to ensure the health and safety of young workers is protected in the workplace by providing suitable training and instruction.

Derek Clark, UK Independence Party MEP for the east Midlands, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and Chris Heaton-Harris, Conservative MEP believe educating inexperienced employees about the dangers present in the working environment must be driven home.

"Educating young people on workplace risks is of great importance, as too many lives are being currently lost or affected in the EU due to poor health and safety training," Mr Clark said.

The three politicians praised the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's (IOSH's) Putting Young Workers First campaign, claiming it is an important step in reducing the number of workplace accidents involving young workers as the number of technical schools filling this role has decreased.

"IOSH's campaign is importantly filling the gap created by this in striving to teach this group the basic knowledge that they have missed out on," Mr Clark added.

Meanwhile, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has released a selection of publications surrounding the health and safety of young people undertaking work experience placements, according to youngworker.co.uk.