The OHS Double Whammy: adolescent workers who are precariously employed

By Claire Mayhew

Various workplace factors increase the vulnerability of workers to OHS hazards.

For example precariously employed workers tend to have restricted access to preventive information, contractors/subcontractors may be economically encouraged to work excessively long shifts, and training may be restricted. There has also been debate in UN and ILO circles about child labour. Mayhew argues that there is an exponential increase in the probability of negative OHS outcomes when workers are both precariously employed and young. In the editorial to this issue of the Journal of OHS she argues the comparison between conditions and accidents in late Victorian England and the current conditions for groups of young, precariously employed workers. Mayhew sets out recommended policy initiatives to improve safety, health and well-being.

(Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand; vol. 21 no 2, April 2005) pp91-6 and pp 131-40