| Every 12 minutes, British workers between the | | | | those who are more used to the job and have |
| ages of 16 and 24 suffer work-related | | | | been there longer. If young workers |
| injuries that can keep them out of work for | | | | understand the risks inherent in their |
| up to three days. As young people enter the | | | | environment they will be more likely to try |
| workforce, it is important that they | | | | to protect themselves. |
| understand that they are no longer in an | | | | |
| environment mostly designed for their | | | | Younger workers are particularly susceptible |
| protection and safety. Some of the burden of | | | | to musculoskeletal injury because their |
| Ergonomics falls into the lap of the workers | | | | musculoskeletal system is not yet fully |
| themselves. This burden is particularly acute | | | | formed and takes the stress in more readily |
| with the younger workers. Some would argue | | | | than their older counterparts when they are |
| that they accidents occur with younger | | | | involved in activities requiring repetitive |
| workers as opposed to older workers because | | | | movement with awkward limb positioning. In |
| they are acting in an immature manner or | | | | fact, most risks that are present for younger |
| fooling around on the job. Often, however, | | | | workers but not present for older workers |
| these injuries occur because the workers in | | | | come from the fact that the bodies of the |
| question lack the experience necessary to | | | | younger employees have not yet developed |
| protect themselves from commonplace hazards | | | | fully and may not be as strong, limber and |
| often associated with the workplace. | | | | resilient as that of the fully mature adults |
| | | | who may serve as their colleagues or even do |
| Anyone new to a job has a higher likelihood | | | | the same job. Furthermore, protective |
| of injury, regardless of whether they are | | | | equipment is often designed for the adult |
| considered a "young worker" or are older in | | | | frame and may not fit the younger worker |
| age. Younger workers or even workers new to a | | | | adequately therefore causing more harm than |
| job need to have the health and safety | | | | good. |
| training that passes for common sense among | | | | |