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