Training and Induction

When you start at a new workplace, you should receive an induction.

The induction makes sure you understand the workplace, and your role, including the tasks you’ll be completing. The induction should introduce you to the people in the workplace you will be working with, such as your supervisor, the Human Resources team and any Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).

You must also receive the training that you need to carry out your work safely. Important topics that must be covered in your training include:

• Hazards and risks specific to the workplace including preventive measures for those risks
• Safety procedures in the workplace, including the management of risks and hazards
• Accident, emergency and evacuation procedures and associated equipment at the workplace, and
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE).

You should also be provided with information on:

• safety documents, policies and plans specific to the workplace
• who to report accidents, incidents and hazards to and how to report them, and
• the layout of the workplace including:
  • entries and exits
  • loading and unloading areas
  • location of facilities, and
  • first aid and security requirements.

For any training that you receive, your health and safety must be looked after. Whether the training is in your workplace, or at a training facility, the trainers owe you a duty of care and must make sure your health and safety is not at risk.

Your employer must keep record of the training that they provide to you for 2 years.

Some training that you receive will likely be from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). An RTO must meet certain standards when it comes to training. The RTO must provide you with training that is suitable to your needs and gives you the skills and competencies that are required for your job. You will likely be assessed (tested) by the RTO to make sure you have the skills you need.

For information on inductions and training in construction, visit the Apprentices section of the Young Workers website or the induction section of our website. For information on Group Training Organisations, see the Apprentice section of our website.

Supervision

After your induction, you will most likely still need supervision to complete your work safely. Your supervisor should:

• Provide you with direction and advice
• Be available for you to ask questions about how to safely perform your role
• Ensure you have a safe work environment
• Set a positive example in relation to work health and safety, and
• Provide you with feedback.

For information on Apprentice supervision, visit the Apprentices section of the Young Workers website or read our Guidance Note- Supervision of apprentices.

Statistics

Young workers can suffer injuries.

• Between 2017—18 and 2020—21, young workers in the ACT comprised 15% of the total Territory workforce but accounted for 19% of all accepted workers’ compensation claims
• The top industries for these claims are Construction with 27% of all claims, Food and Accommodation (16%) and Retail (13%)

The top 3 mechanisms for injury in the ACT are:

• Being hit by moving objects: 26%
• Body stress: 25%
• Falls, trips and slips: 19&%
• Psychosocial injuries: 2.5%

Psychosocial Injuries

Young Australian males working in the construction industry are twice as likely to take their own lives than other young Australian males.

In Australia in 2021, Young Workers made 11,155 serious workers' compensation claims (Safe Work Australia).

There were 194 fatalities in the 2020-21 financial year in Australia- more than 1 every second day. More data on the safety of young workers at work can be found in our Young Workers Data Snapshot.

Duties, rights and responsibilities

Duty of Care

Everyone has a duty of care to make sure their workplaces are safe, including you. You also have the right to refuse any work that is unsafe.

This means that everyone has a responsibility to make sure that everyone is safe at work. Your employer has the main responsibility for the health and safety of everyone in your workplace, including visitors. Below is a table showing the responsibilities of you, your employer and supervisor:

Your Responsibilities	Your Rights	Employer Responsibilities
Take reasonable care for your own safety and the safety of others. Take reasonable care that your acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other people. Comply, so far as you can, with any reasonable instruction that is given by your employer to support safety. Co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of your employer relating to health or safety at the workplace.	You can refuse any work that is unsafe. You should be consulted on changes that affect you. You must not receive any consequences for speaking out about safety issues. To have an induction and are trained in how to do your job safely. To be effectively supervised at work.	Your work environment, systems of work, machinery and equipment are safe and properly maintained. Chemicals are used, handled and stored safely. Adequate workplace facilities are available to you. Information, training, instruction and supervision are provided to you. Your health and workplace conditions are monitored. Any instruction given to you is safe.

Raising WHS issues with your supervisor or employer

Gaining the courage to talk with your supervisor about a health and safety issue can be daunting. This is particularly true if you are a young worker who is only new at the workplace.

Here are some examples of how you could raise WHS issues with a supervisor/employer:

• "Can you show me how to do it again?"
• "Is there a safer way of doing this?"
• "Can we get this fixed?"

Steps for raising issues with you supervisor/employer:

1. Check your rights
2. Have a conversation
3. Alert them in writing
4. Take further action

Workers' Compensation

If you have been injured at work or while travelling on a work-related matter, you have the right to compensation.

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance to provide wages and medical support to people who are injured or become ill due to their work. An important part of workers’ compensation is rehabilitation, so that you can return to work as soon as possible.

It is important that you understand your right to workers’ compensation and the process involved in making a claim. If you would like more information,

visit the Workers' Compensation section of the website or download a Certificate of Capacity.

Vulnerable Workers Inspector

WorkSafe ACT has employed a Vulnerable Workers Inspector to help make sure that young workers and other vulnerable people are safe in the workplace.

They can:

• provide work health and safety advice
• help you identify hazards and risks in the workplace
• advise you on how to submit a confidential incident report, if necessary
• provide appropriate information, instruction, training or supervision to workers and others in the workplace to make sure work is carried out safely.

If you would like more information, please contact WorkSafe ACT on via email to worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au.

Staying safe while driving for work

Many jobs that young workers are employed in involve driving, such as transport industry.

If you are required to drive a vehicle as part of your work, you should make sure you are as safe as possible. Obey all driving laws, and take steps such as:

• checking the safety and maintenance of vehicles
• avoid driving when tired
• choosing the safest route
• avoiding distractions
• not driving while affected by alcohol or drugs
• observing the speed limit, and
• taking care around heavy vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

What are my rights at work?

Young workers have the same rights in the workplace as any other worker.

Your employer has a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for you. This means they must provide you with information on your workplace, instruction, training and supervision.

What should I expect on my first day at a new workplace?

You should receive an effective induction and training on the organisation, workplace and your role. After this, you should be given appropriate supervision and support including feedback and mentoring, which should decrease your likelihood of being injured.

How can I raise concerns with my employer?

The first thing you should do is talk to your direct supervisor. Try to use non-confrontational language.

1. Check your rights
2. Have a conversation
3. Alert them in writing
4. Take further action

If your concern is not resolved or relates to your supervisor, you could raise it with another staff member including a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) or human resources representative.

Who can I contact if I my concerns are not resolved?

If the above steps are not successful, you can contact WorkSafe ACT using the Contact Us section of our website. You can also send us an email at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au. You can be anonymous – you just have to let us know.

What can I do if I am being bullied in the workplace?

Bullying and harassment are unacceptable in the workplace in any form. If you are experiencing bullying or harassment, you should talk about it with your supervisor, human resources manager or employer. You can consult your workplace’s policies and procedures around bullying and harassment. Then, you should follow the relevant procedure.

If the bullying issue is unresolved, you can lodge an enquiry with WorkSafe ACT using our Psychological Hazard Complaint form. More information on who to contact can be found on the Bullying- Know who to Contact section of our website

More information:

Call WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6 pm, and on weekends or public holidays from 9am-5pm.

International callers please use +61 2 6207 5111. International call rates apply.

After hours, for emergencies, you can call us on 0419 120 028.

Email WorkSafe ACT at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au

Helpful links:

• Young Workers Strategy PDF and Word
• Young Workers Data Snapshot
• Building and Construction section of the website
• Retail section of the website
• Health and Community Services section of the website
• Hospitality and Tourism section of the website
• Safety videos
• Headspace
• Gugan Gulwan
• Unions ACT Young Workers Centre