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19 March 2024

Hiring for UAE summer jobs? Teach safety

Published
By Staff

With the holiday season approaching, employers are urged to pay extra attention to the health and safety of young people hired for temporary, summer work.

According to the British Safety Council, workers are far more likely to be injured in workplace accidents during the first few months of a new job than at any other time and hence it becomes very important for the employer to ensure their safety.

“Vacation jobs are a great way for young people to earn money, get some experience and develop skills,” says Alex Botha, Chief Executive at the British Safety Council, “but we know they can be particularly vulnerable when they start work”.

“Of course, employers working with young people doing summer jobs have duties to keep workers safe and well. Employers also have an opportunity to communicate the importance and basic principles of health and safety to young people as they start their working lives. This essential learning can be taken to their next job and beyond. In doing so they can keep themselves and their co-workers healthy and safe while having the confidence to speak up if they have concerns about the hazards they are facing.”

Here are six steps to protect new starters, according to website www.hse.gov.uk

1# Capability

Assess the new starter’s capabilities. For example, take into consideration the literacy and numeracy levels, general health, relevant work experience, physical capability to do the job, familiarity with the work being done and the working environment (especially where conditions change rapidly, such as on construction sites).

Don't forget to assess cultural and language issues (grasp of English) too, where relevant - you may need to use visual, non-verbal methods such as pictures, signs or learning materials such as videos/DVDs/CD-ROMs.

2# Induction


Provide an induction. Plan it carefully, including photos of hazards where possible, and use plain, simple language. Take time to walk around the workplace or site with new workers and show them where the main hazards exist (e.g. falls, slips and transport).

3# Control measures


Make sure the control measures to protect against risk are up to date and are being properly used and maintained.

Involve employees and health and safety representatives in discussions about the risk and how best to make sure new starters are protected.

Emphasise the importance of reporting accidents and near misses. Make any necessary arrangements for health surveillance. If required, make sure suitable personal protective equipment is provided and maintained without cost to the workers.

4# Information


Provide relevant information, instruction and training about the risks that new workers may be exposed to and the precautions they will need to take to avoid those risks.

5# Supervision

Provide adequate supervision. Make sure workers know how to raise concerns and supervisors are familiar with the possible problems due to unfamiliarity and inexperience.

6# Check understanding

Check workers have understood the information, instruction and training they need to work safely, and are acting on it, especially during the vital first days/weeks at work. Remember to make sure workers know how and with whom they can raise any concerns about their health and safety and that they know about any emergency arrangements or procedures.

[Image via Shutterstock]