Bosses have been warned to keep high-risk younger workers safe in the workplace.
The warning comes from leading Shipley lawyer Joan Pettingill, an employment law specialist for Last Cawthra Feather.
It follows a report from the Health & Safety Executive which showed that during 1998/1999, 3,844 young people suffered serious injuries in the work place.
The report said some six per cent of youngsters involved in accidents were carrying out summer work or were on work experience. It also said one in three accidents were serious and required treatment.
She said: "Employers need to recognise that young workers are at risk from potential hazards and that there is a general lack of awareness of the dangers involved in certain types of work. Younger workers are less experienced than more mature staff, in being aware of the hazards involved in their jobs.
"To avoid accidents, employers should make a thorough risk assessment before employment starts and these should continue throughout the young worker's career."
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