Work involving risk of structural collapse

What is the risk?

There are a number of activities which may give rise to risk of structural collapse, including new construction, refurbishment and alterations when structures may be either deliberately or accidentally weakened. Demolition or dismantling is also a high-risk activity.

How to avoid the risk

You should plan all such work and ensure it is carried out under the control of a competent person. Young people should only do this work if properly trained or if they are supervised by a trained person.

Work involving high-voltage electrical hazards

What is the risk?

The risk is one of electric shock, burns or electrocution. There is no evidence that young workers face greater physical risks from electricity than other workers.

How to avoid the risk

As with adults, you must ensure that young people do not carry out any work involving electricity unless:

• they have the necessary technical knowledge and/or experience to prevent danger or injury; or
• you have ensured that they are under an appropriate level of supervision for the nature of the work.

Work involving the manufacture and handling of devices, fireworks or other objects containing explosives

What is the risk?

Young people may pay inadequate attention to safety precautions because of lack of experience, lack of awareness or mental immaturity, increasing the risk of fire or unintended explosion.

How to avoid the risk

You must not allow anyone under 18 years of age to enter any room where explosives are made, or where explosives or their ingredients are stored. (There are certain exceptions where a young person under 16 years is employed in a process which has been declared to be non-dangerous by an Order of the Secretary of State.)

You cannot employ young people under 18 years in explosives buildings except in the presence and under the supervision of someone aged 21 years or over.

Work with fierce or poisonous animals

What is the risk?

Some animals kept in zoos are fierce or poisonous. Farm animals (including semi-domesticated animals such as deer [PDF 262kb], as well as domesticated animals such as horses, bulls, cows [PDF 26kb], sheep and pigs) may occasionally show aggression, eg bulls or animals with young, both in open fields and in enclosed pens.

Young people may be more at risk than older workers because of their inexperience and lack of appreciation of the risks.

There may also be additional risks from zoonoses [PDF 66kb] (diseases carried by animals which can also affect humans). These include diseases such as orf, which causes skin lesions, and E coli 0157, which may cause serious diarrhoea or death.

How to avoid the risk

You must ensure that all employees working with zoo animals are supervised. Because of their lack of experience, young people may be particularly at risk and zoo operators should ensure they are adequately trained and strictly supervised.

Safety management systems should also be put in place to segregate employees from potentially fierce animals. If you know that a farm animal has the potential to be aggressive, consider whether young people should be allowed to work with it. Otherwise reduce risks by:

• preventing access to potentially aggressive farm animals;
• providing proper training for young workers before they have to work among male animals or those with young;
• making sure adequate handling facilities are available and used; and
• supervising the young person until you are satisfied that he/she is competent.

Following the principles of good occupational hygiene should protect against the risk of contracting a zoonosis.

Work involving animal slaughtering on an industrial scale

What is the risk?

In the slaughtering [PDF 25kb] industry, there are risks from mechanical equipment and the operation of stunning equipment, animal handling and zoonoses [PDF 66kb].

How to avoid the risk

You should ensure that young employees are carefully instructed and supervised to follow recognised industry safe systems.