Posted By Peter Hamilton I am currently involved with a group looking at risk assessments for children undertaking work experience when aged 15-16 (i.e. below MSLA). This involves working with both placement providers and schools. A hot topic at the moment is "work at height". (or do I mean falling from height?). We are pretty certain that we have a good idea of the various bits of legislation, the different levels of risk posed by various access equipment and the importance of adult supervision in any child placement. What we do not have is any wide practical experience of how a "working H&S person" has/would decide in the workplace. Is it ever acceptable to allow a child to "work at height"? (e.g go onto a scaffold, use a stepladder, use a mobile stairway) Therefore, what would be most helpful for us in our current review would be some practical experience of how you may have considered any such application in your work. Just some simple stuff like definite no-nos, possibles, OK with supervision would be great. Also are there are any insurance company risk guys out there who feel able to comment from an insurers view? Your responses will help us to keep the kids safe but not "too safe" that all they learn is that H&S is something that just stops you doing things.

Posted By Jeff Manion Have somthing that may assist send e-mail direct. Jeff Manion

Posted By J Knight Peter, Look at the guidance to the management regs on this one, as well as WAH regs. The management regs set out specific requirements for risk assessment in any workplace employing children; since this is anybody under compulsory school leaving age they are allowed to be in employment. One of the requirements is that children cannot work in any process or operation where there are uncontrolled significant risks following risk assessment, even if it is necessary for their training. This would certainly have a bearing on their use of access equipment, John

Posted By Neil Stephens Some general guidance in HSG 165. Also worth noting that while on placement the young person will be considered an employee of the host for health and safety purposes and therefore they must conduct an appropriate risk assessment taking into account the YPs age, lack of maturity and experience.

Posted By Peter Hamilton Hello again everyone, many thanks to those that responded to my original post, some useful stuff there. I perhaps did not explain clearly that what I was looking for was actual experience of applying the guidance as a means of benchmarking our work. There must be someone out there who has actually had to carry out the required risk assessments for work experience placements in their business/industry (or do you just prohibit it??). Once again, thanks for the interest, Peter