Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate revealed statistics showing that 18 to 24-year-olds were more likely to have a serious accident at work than older adults.

He made these statements in his address during the 2018 World Day for Safety and Health at Work celebrations at the Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Council building hall in Lautoka, yesterday.

“Employers have a responsibility to protect the safety and health of their workers and pay particular attention to young workers,” Mr Usamate said.

He advised the employers to ensure  that risk assessments were carried out before a young person started work.

“Put in place measures to protect them because young workers should be given appropriate work, provided with enough training and supervision.”

Mr Usamate shed light on the matter following the new findings that were brought to their ministry’s attention.

“Employers should promote a strong and safe culture and involve young workers in safety matters,” he said

“Leadership and culture are important in understanding and influencing a young worker’s behaviour.”

He said anyone who worked with young workers had the ability to show effective leadership in work health and safety to positively influence a worker.

Regarding their, “risk perception, motivation, safety knowledge, compliance, taking part, values and beliefs.”

“Young people should be given safe jobs that are within their capabilities.

“Simply providing them with a handbook of safety rules was not enough.

“They need proper training and supervision, they need to be actively engaged if they are to take on the safety culture of the workplace and co-operate on Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) matters.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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