You can’t put an old head on young shoulders, the traditional saying goes, with eager workers who are just out of school and keen to make their mark considered to be particularly at risk of workplace injuries.

With this in mind, SafeWork NSW believes that the current Youth Week for 2025 is the perfect time for those employing young people to ensure they are in an environment where there is correct training and supervision, and where workers feel empowered to speak up with any concerns, Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said.

“Workplace incidents can cause life-changing injuries, illness and death, and are especially sad when they happen to young workers,” Mr Curtin said.

“If you employ young workers or work experience students, make sure you understand your obligations to protect them and support their health and safety at work,” he added.

He said that employers should always be aware of the reduced workplace experience and skill of many younger workers.

“Young workers often lack experience, are still developing physically and mentally, can be eager to make a good impression, and may be reluctant to ask questions.

“It is important that young people feel comfortable to speak up if they have any issues. Employers not taking the time to ensure their workplace is safe is not worth the risk,” Mr Curtin emphasised.

In NSW more than half-a-million people aged 25 years and under are in the workforce. With more than 15,000 of those injured at work each year, costing $60 million in workers' compensation claims, it is important employers understand the human and actual cost of inaction.

All businesses, from farms to hospitality to construction sites, must ensure they are creating safe working environments. If you're an employer, legally you must provide:

  • a safe and healthy workplace,
  • safe equipment, structures and systems of work,
  • adequate workplace amenities and facilities,
  • information, instruction, training and supervision, and
  • the opportunity for workers to talk about Work Health and Safety and raise issues.

SafeWork’s message to young workers is if you are not sure if a task is safe to do or if you don’t know how to do it safely, the most important thing is to stop and ask someone about it. If you see something that isn’t safe on a worksite and are worried about raising it, you can speak up anonymously using the Speak Up Save Lives webpage.

Some examples of young people being injured on worksites this year include:

  • On January 22, a 19-year-old apprentice plumber was cleaning the gutters of a two-storey building when he slid on the wet roof and fell eight metres, fracturing his back.
  • On January 30, a 16-year-old casual farm hand was operating a side-by-side buggy when it struck loose gravel and rolled onto its side, breaking both her legs.
  • On March 10, a 21-year-old dogman was struck by the tip of a crane boom, crushing his left foot causing traumatic amputation.
  • On March 14, a 22-year-old electrician fell six metres from the roof of a double-storey house onto a concrete driveway. He suffered a broken leg, shattered wrist, broken jaw and facial lacerations.

SafeWork has developed a Young Worker eToolkit for employees and workers, containing tips and training materials about work safety rights and responsibilities. There is also a YouTube video about young workers safety, called "Five rights you have as a young worker".

Youth Week 2025 runs from April 9 to 17.