Rank: Forum user 
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We have a welding contractor working on one of our sites who has employed his sixteen year old son as an apprentice - this is a really difficult situation for me as the location manager relies on this contractor a great deal to meet specific customer requirements and the contractor of course believes he is doing the right thing by his son - training him in a useful skill. The contractor to complicate matters is, to say the least rather old school in attitudes to health and safety. I know I need to address, it is just a matter of the best way for all concerned - so how would you approach this situation?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I know this will sound silly but have you spoke to your location manager and the contractor to explain the position. Explain about young workers and assist him if need be in completing a risk assessment, show him its not difficult.
Remind the location manager of his duty to the company he works for and the possible consequences.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I have assumed that RA exist for the work of the contractor. If not then now there really does need to be with this development.
Is the lad on an approved apprenticeship scheme? If so the college or training provider can help with any risk assessments.
If this is just Dad doing his own thing for his lad then you do need to get it sorted. I wouldn't talk risk assessment, I would talk "what does Dad intend to allow him to do" and then "what is Dad going to do to keep his son safe" and then work up a joint record from there.
p48
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Rank: Forum user 
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If this is just a Father and Son outfit I don't think he is required to have anything on paper in regards to RA, if you see unsafe practises you can challenge and inform him. Or you could make it a contractual thing that SSoW are required before work commences on site such as a requirement of Permit to Work hot working.
just a few thoughts
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Rank: Super forum user
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Linda G wrote:We have a welding contractor working on one of our sites who has employed his sixteen year old son as an apprentice - this is a really difficult situation for me as the location manager relies on this contractor a great deal to meet specific customer requirements and the contractor of course believes he is doing the right thing by his son - training him in a useful skill. The contractor to complicate matters is, to say the least rather old school in attitudes to health and safety. I know I need to address, it is just a matter of the best way for all concerned - so how would you approach this situation? Nice situation to be in! If you can, pop to that site and chat to the father if he is old school he might rather that, and see what the grand plan for his son is, Im sure if he is training him up the end goal is for the son to take over the business. If he hasnt already joined an NVQ or other type course, then perhaps encourage it, and inform the father that if the son is trained up properly then perhaps would be of benefit to the company. And talk to the son, see if he is a mature 16 year old that wants to do it, or if he is a young lad who is there cause his father said so. I'm sure you have seen this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/law/index.htm
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Rank: Guest
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This seems quite simple to me....
Risk assessment is needed for a vulnerable worker (under 18).
Risk assessments should be obtained for the work being carried out along with a safe system of work.
Best practice would include Permits to work.
In my opinion, I would have this conversation with the location manager and put the solutions forward. Making the Dad aware that his son is classed as a vulnerable worker and compiling the vulnerable worker risk assessment and safe system of work with him will probably improve his understanding of H&S especially as he is classing his son as an employee. This way all parties benefit.
Unless of course, I am missing something?
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