Health & Safety
You should already have in place many of the legal requirements for offering work experience, including Employer’s Liability, Public Liability and Motor Vehicle insurance (where necessary). Young people on work experience have the same status as employees under current legislation (Health & Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 and Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999). If you are thinking of registering for work experience, it is important that you have systems in place to ensure that young people are adequately supervised at all times and, in particular, are not allowed to use tools or equipment in a dangerous way. You should also be satisfied that any protective clothing or equipment necessary for the work to be undertaken safely is provided and used as and when appropriate.
You must also ensure that Risk Assessments of the workplace and the hazards that are produced by the work being carried out (if any) have been completed, taking into account the likely immaturity, lack of awareness and inexperience of the young person that may be involved. Don’t be put off by this – many employers find that looking at their premises through the eyes of a teenager is a useful exercise in ensuring safe working arrangements for all personnel. If there are significant findings and control measures these should be recorded.
Please bear in mind that young people should, as far as possible, be encouraged to carry out real work tasks alongside other employees to make the experience as real as possible. With the right safeguards, the majority of workplaces are suitable for work experience and many employers have found that young people on placement can make a very real contribution to their business.