DO WE PROTECT YOUNGSTERS FROM INJURIES?

Summer is finally here! ??

For most of us, the summer holiday is the time for rest, relaxation and family bonding. But in Sweden, many teenagers take the opportunity to work part-time to earn extra pocket money. ??

These youngsters find work in warehouses, construction sites, workshops, cafés, and kitchens, to name just a few. While this is great, it is alarming that so many injuries happen to these teenagers. Studies found that more than 1,100 occupational accidents involving youngsters have been reported in the past five years (Based on the Swedish Work Environment Authority data https://www.av.se/press/unga-skadas-pa-sommarjobbet/). ??

Lack of experience is most likely the number one factor causing teenagers to get hurt. Other factors may include negligence in following safety instructions, not wearing personal protection equipment or lack of courage to ask questions. Everyone in the organization should look out for each other all the time, especially the youngsters.??

Furthermore, the authority report showed that more than 54% of the reported work accidents among youngsters involve hand injuries. These statistics are very similar to adult work injuries, and it is not surprising that hand-related injuries scored the highest because our hands are the “tools” we use the most.??

Safety gloves should always be worn when there are risks for hand injuries (except when working with rotational machinery). It’s easy enough to see if a youngster or part-timer is not wearing gloves and make them understand they must wear them. It might save them from severe injuries in case an accident may happen.??