Scottish and Welsh youngsters need protection
Scottish and Welsh youngsters need protection
Union organisations in Scotland and Wales have backed the TUC campaign for action on young worker safety. Ian Tasker, safety officer with the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), said: 'There is a mistaken perception that injuries suffered by younger workers are as a result of clowning around but this is purely a smokescreen to cover the inadequate training being given to young people embarking on their careers.' He added: 'The STUC is currently finalising arrangement for a series of school visits and these figures emphasise the need for us to ensure young people understand and recognise workplace hazards before entering the workplace'. Official figures for Scotland show fatal and serious injuries to 16-24 year olds are at a five year high, at 443 reported cases. Wales TUC general secretary Felicity Williams said: 'Summer jobs are a great way for young people to gain some extra cash and important work and life experience. But they are not worth dying for.' Trainee gamekeeper James Wellington became the latest teenage casualty on 4 August. The 16-year-old died in a quad bike accident while out feeding pheasants on a rural estate near Llangollen in north Wales. He was found underneath the overturned vehicle on the Plas Nantyr estate.
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox