Chemicals and Young Workers

By C Winder

In developed nations, adolescents (those aged 12-18) ad young people (those aged 16-24) are often in paid employment that is generally characterized by poor working conditions, low pay and few benefits.

Such workers are also exposed to many common workplace hazards, and this article focuses on chemical risks for young workers.

There are a number of physiological, toxicological and psychological differences between young workers and adults. Where chemical exposures occur, these differences have the potential to cause immediate, short-term or long-term health problems, either during employment or later in life. Workplace safety programs in organisations should recognize the particular needs of young workers and focus on knowledge and skills development, competency training, hazard/risk elimination and control, appropriate supervision, and identifying and solving workplace safety problems where young workers are at risk.

(Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand (vol. 22, no. 2, April 2006. pp153-74)