Safety concerns have emerged about a growing surge in school-aged children being taken to Aussie construction sites over the holiday period.
With the nation’s kids spending the summer having a break from study, many opt to join mum, dad or another adult on the job site, despite having little or no training.
The growing trend allows otherwise stuck-at-home students to earn some extra cash or get a head start on a potential career path.
For parents and adults, it’s an extra pair of hands and a way to keep an eye on them.
But SafeWork NSW has sent a strong reminder to tradies regarding the dangers of taking children to job sites; warning fines and notices will be handed out if any safety breaches are identified.
Who can enter job sites?
The law requires people in high-risk workplaces such as construction and job sites to be trained, competent and capable.
If inspectors find untrained or unlicenced people on site, such as children, this can result in warnings, financial penalties and possibly legal action.
However, children over 14 can be taken to the construction sites, provided they are appropriately supervised, have evidence of adequate training and have obtained their white card.
What is a white card?
A white card, also known as a construction induction card, is required for workers who want to carry out construction work.
White cards become void if no construction-related work has been carried out for two or more consecutive years.
You must be at least 14 to obtain the card and have completed a general construction induction training with a registered training organisation (RTO).
Those without a white card are not permitted to be on an operational construction site at all – even under the supervision of an inducted and licenced tradesperson.
Why are safety risks greater for kids?
Statistics from Safe Work Australia show tradies, labourers, machine operators are more susceptible to workplace accidents, with people in those jobs accounting for half of serious workplace insurance claims.
Meanwhile, research from Hipages showed electricians and builders are the most likely of all the tradies to be injured at work.
And with statistics showing young workers are more likely to be injured at work than older ones, it’s no wonder bringing children on-site is extremely risky.
A spokesperson for Queensland Industrial Relations said a child or young person’s lack of risk awareness, desire to try new things, and lack of accrued job skills made them a higher-risk person than fully qualified adults.
“They are often inexperienced, and therefore, the likelihood of an injury is highest during their first six months in a new job.”
Summer incident sparks kid crackdown
Those risks became a reality last month when a 13-year-old boy sustained a severe head injury after falling from scaffolding while attending a construction site without the correct documentation or training.
The teenager, who was accompanying an adult during the start of his school holiday period, was required to have surgery as a result of the fall.
Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin says while youngsters may find the job site an exciting place to be, it is also an extremely hazardous one.
“We are reminding businesses and parents they have obligations to supervise children, especially around machinery, hazardous chemicals and other risks on site which may not be obvious,” he said.
“There needs to be protections in place to look after not just kids on school holidays, but all visitors to the workplace, each and every day of the year.”
Should tradies or parents decide to bring their children to a construction site, they should ensure they have their white card, the correct safety gear, and any other licences or prerequisites required by the nature of the job.
Mr Curtin says concerned tradies and guardians can take additional steps to ensure the job site is safe for those who attend.
“Simple safety prevention, like locking away chemicals and tools, putting in place falls protection, or removing the keys from machinery and vehicles when they are not in use are just a few ways to create a safer place for everyone.”
