A Teenager's Guide to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992

If you're a teenager and:

• you're working part-time, for pocket money or to supplement your student allowance; or

• you're looking for part-time or holiday work; or

• you're beginning your first job; or

• you're receiving on the job training or gaining work experience;

then you need to know about the Health and Safety in Employment Act (HSE Act) 1992.

The HSE Act is a law that applies to everyone in almost all places of work; inside, outside, public or private even underwater or underground.

Employees, employers, contractors, owners of building or plant and visitors to workplaces all have responsibilities and obligations under the HSE Act.

If you are receiving on the job training or gaining work experience, then the employer at the workplace has most of the same duties to you as to the employees you are working with. Where there are references to "the employee" following these also apply to you as a trainee.

An employee may be permanent, temporary, casual, full-time, or part-time. They may also have any degree of experience or responsibility in the workplace — the HSE Act applies to you as an apprentice or a new employee, as well as to a senior executive.

The HSE Act puts the responsibility first and foremost on employers to take all practicable steps to identify and manage workplace hazards. However, you as an employee or trainee in a workplace, also have responsibilities towards promoting a safe and healthy working environment.

• Your rights as an employee
• What is a hazard?
• Steps to a healthy workplace
• Your responsibility as an employee
• Monitoring your health at work
• If you think your safety or health is at risk
• Further information