Posted By Pete48
May I ask for some opinions and experience on the following please?
I have been looking at whether children on work experience placements should be allowed to work at height or not. My initial response is no, because they don't need to, so it is a "no brainer" in one sense. But, I don't like "no brainers" 'cos it often means I am the one with no brains!
I believe that, up until the WAH regs last year, allowing children on such placements up to the first lift on a scaffold and use of stepladders etc was generally accepted subject, of course, to adequate supervision and controls. However, I am very aware that much has changed in the real world of everyday construction with regard to WAH.

What I would find very helpful if you have a minute or two is:
is it a no brainer or is it taking the easy route and denying children a learning opportunity?
if you have allowed such activity, did you do anything other than the supervision etc controls?
are there any crocodiles in the codes etc that might prohibit this anyway?

Notes:
Work experience is children in year 10 and 11 (15-16 year olds) who go out into the workplace usually for a week in block but sometimes on day release for a year. They could be with a one man band builder, a thatcher or roofer, an electrician or a plasterer or even a window cleaner! It povides a means for children to go into workplaces normally barred to them in child employment terms.

Posted By Salus
Pete, as always the risk assessment process must be carried out( see H & S young persons regs) there is nothing wrong in allowing the persons you describe to go onto a scaffold. The scaffold must be erected by a competent person, inspected every seven days (and record results|)and not be mucked about with by anyone except the person who erected it.

They definitely require supervision and PPE plus site induction.

Ensure adequate welfare facilities and first aid provision.

This is where the danger area is.
I would be very worried about putting them with "one man bands" as these people tend not to put safety at the top of the pile when carrying out their work.

Posted By JPK
Hmmm... It has been said here that site induction must be given which of course I agree with, but as with all 'NEW' let alone young persons on a construction site, do they actually understand the what is being explained??

A common problem on contruction sites is that although site induction is very good to show the risks associated with that site to persons already trained to maybe CSCS level etc, a young person is not site H&S trained.

Be wary of site induction as adequate training for the use of scaffolds or SSW.

Posted By Sally
The argument about 1st level of hierarchy could be extended to saying don't let them go on work experience at all - it isn't necessary but it is very beneficial for the young people.

My view would be that you consider carefully what they will be doing at height. Are they actually carrying out a task or just going up a scaffold to see work taking place and then risk assess carefully. Obviously you need to ensure that all the standard precautions are in place as you would for any situation involving scaffolding and then take account of the others ie lack of age and experience. It may be that the outcome is that they go up onto the scaffold with an experienced worker for a 'visit' to see what type of work is done - that in itself is a useful experience. Also use it as an opportunity to teach the young person about risk assessment.