Young workers: Manufacturing

A snapshot of how young people employed in the manufacturing industry get injured at work, and tips to help prevent these types of injuries from occurring.

Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for

training and induction materials
occupational health and safety content
preventing injuries in the workplace.

Young workers: Manufacturing

Hazards

Hazard 1
Heavy lifting pushing pulling bending and kneeling
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg forklifts, trolleys, vacuum lifters, hoists, height adjustable palletising equipment) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Design work to ensure it is done between shoulder and waist height to keep people working in an upright postures as much as possible. Achieve this by raising, lowering or moving either the worker or the work.

Train young workers in the selection and use of any mechanical equipment and aids and safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible).

Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (eg by using job rotation, work variation, providing sit-stand stools and anti-fatigue mats) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.

19 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 2
Managing young workers
Consider young workers' age as a specific risk factor when identifying hazards and controlling risks in the workplace.

Develop a culture and process that encourage young workers to speak up about risks they observe.

Provide OHS induction and ongoing safety training that ensures young workers understand their job, can perform it safely and competently, and can recognise and report hazards.

Have procedures and training around workplace bullying, violence, harassment and skylarking.

Provide ongoing supervision that takes into consideration the inexperience of young workers.

Encourage young workers to ask questions and to seek more information if unsure.

Have consultative processes that encourage young workers to put forward ideas.

For young workers in the manufacturing industry, please also refer to other industry specific manufacturing Hotspots.

19 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

36 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand/fingers.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 3
Slips trips and falls
Install gantries and walkways with barriers on or around large or high machines.

Fit self-closing access gates to elevated work platforms to reduce the risk of falling from machinery or equipment.

Remove unwanted material and waste regularly from work site so it does not accumulate.

Ensure all working areas and access ways are clean, level, well-lit and in good condition.

Ensure employees wear appropriate safety boots (eg that fit well and are in good repair).

Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.
Hazard 4
Using hand tools
Provide appropriate tools and machinery (eg ergonomically designed handheld power tools that are lightweight, low vibration, noise restricted and fitted with over-torque clutches) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications

Train young workers in the selection and use of hand tools and how to safely use them (eg avoid working in front of face and always work away from the body).

Explain safety features of each hand tool and provide clear instructions on how to use. Emphasise specific hazards, how to control them, how to know if the tool is faulty, and how this should be reported etc. Ask questions as you go to check understanding.

Explain maintenance requirements, responsibilities and procedures (ensure that young workers know they shouldn't fix any malfunctions).

Ensure young workers using hand tools are supervised while using hand tools for the first time and as required.

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing (eg gloves, safety footwear, goggles) and show workers how to safely wear/use.

36 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand/fingers.

7 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 5
Using machinery and equipment
Provide appropriate guarding and ensure it is maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications (eg circular saws have spring loaded moveable blade guards).

Ensure router benches and moulders are designed so guards are interlocked to the plant and the cutters can't operate (including during run-down) when the guard isn't in place. Physical barrier guards are necessary in almost all cases.

Ensure emergency stops are within reach of operators of moving rollers, belts and conveyers.

Ensure machinery has completely stopped and can't be unintentionally re-energized during repair, unblocking, maintenance, or cleaning.

Train young workers how to use equipment and supervise young workers when working directly with or near machinery or blades.

Develop and implement appropriate safe work procedures (eg don't use gloves where there's a risk they will catch on moving machinery).

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg hard hats, gloves that absorb impact energy, protection from sharp edges that is puncture resistant, hearing protection, respiratory protection, suitable eyewear) and ensure it is worn.

Ensure employees wear suitable clothing (eg overalls, long trousers, long sleeve shirt, safety boots).

Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons forearm / wrist.

36 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hand/fingers.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons leg.

Injury hotspots disclaimer

This information does not give rise to any liability of, or claim against, WorkSafe Victoria. It does not give rise to any right, expectation, duty or obligation that a person may not otherwise have. It does not give rise to any defence that would not otherwise be available to a person.

This information does not affect the operation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.

Please note these injuries and hazards are based on historical claims data. There may also be new common injuries and hazards emerging at your workplace which will need to be addressed.

Young workers: Manufacturing

Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for

Young workers: Manufacturing

Hazards

Heavy lifting pushing pulling bending and kneeling

Managing young workers

Slips trips and falls

Using hand tools

Using machinery and equipment

Injury hotspots disclaimer

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