A series of electric shocks, finger amputations and numerous trips, slips and falls have officials ringing alarm bells over the safety of the next generation of tradies.
Earlier last week, SafeWork revealed that from January 1st to June 30, a total of 34 apprentices and trainees aged between 15 and 24 have been injured on the job in worksites all throughout South Australia.
Sparky’s and roofers in training seemed to fair the worst of it, with 18 incidents of electric shocks and eight falls, including two from a roof, reported to the regulator.
There were also two fingertip amputations and eight serious lacerations caused by a variety of tools found on almost every job site across the country, including a nail gun, angle grinder and a circular saw. One apprentice even went home with a fractured leg, and another dislocated a shoulder, both the result of slips and trips.
SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said that incidents like these were nothing new for apprentices and trainees, with the cohort often being “one of the most vulnerable” in workplaces due to age and inexperience.
“Many apprentices and trainees are aged between 16 and 21 years old, and inexperienced in the world of work,” he said.”
“Helping them to navigate the workplace safely by ensuring they are provided with the supervision, on-job training and mentor support from their employer is key.”
“A safe learning environment not only protects young workers, but also creates a secure and supportive workplace where apprentices are more likely to stay engaged and motivated to complete their qualification.”
Figures from SafeWork SA reveal that there were 132 young tradies in training were injured over the last three years, with 51 requiring a hospital visit and almost two-thirds coming from the construction industry.
The most common injuries were the usual suspects, including falls from heights, nail guns, power tools, sharp edges and falling objects.
With these incidents threatening to turn off young workers from entering the severely shorthanded industry, SafeWork SA and Work Health and Safety (WHS) have decided to band together to remind the construction sector that safety comes first.
In addition to dishing out a general slap on the wrist to the industry, both organisations will be ‘escalating’ notifications regarding apprentices and trainees, earmarking these cases as a priority for investigators.
Basically, employers had better be dotting your i’s and crossing your T’s when it comes to tradie safety moving forward, or you can expect a visit from an inspector and a hefty fine to boot.
SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell reminded businesses that the primary purpose of apprenticeships and traineeships is for the training of young workers, with the “execution of work being secondary”.
“Protecting apprentices and trainees and maximising opportunities to teach them the importance of safety at an early career stage are key aspects of this increased collaboration with the South Australian Skills Commission,” he said.
“Taking on an apprentice or trainee is an investment and a long-term action to ensure the necessary skills are developed to support the demands of industry.
“This renewed focus is an opportunity to reiterate to employers, and their supervisors, that their role of on-job trainer and mentor to their apprentices and trainees will help shape their lives as the tradespeople and skilled workers and safety advocates of the future.”
