UK-wide

Checklist for employing young persons safely

Compliance checklist for employers of workers under 18. Covers the specific risk assessment factors under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 19, prohibited work, parent notification, working hours, and night work restrictions.

Guide summary

Complete a specific risk assessment before employing anyone under 18. Check that the work is not prohibited and that their hours, rest periods, and night work follow legal limits. Inform parents of risks and controls. Provide training and supervision suited to their age and experience.

  • Complete risk assessment before young person starts work
  • Consider inexperience, immaturity, and lack of awareness
  • Confirm work is not beyond physical or psychological capacity
  • Do not expose to lead, asbestos, ionising radiation, or other harmful agents
  • Ensure 16-17 year olds work max 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week
  • Provide 12 hours rest between shifts and 2 days rest per week
  • Prohibit night work between 10pm and 6am for 16-17 year olds
  • Inform parent or carer of risks and controls before child starts
  • Provide induction training adapted to age and experience
  • Arrange supervision, especially during the first period
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Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Conducting risk assessments

How to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement controls using the 5-step risk assessment process.

Before employing a young person

If you employ or plan to employ anyone under 18, you have additional legal duties under Regulation 19 of MHSWR 1999. Young workers face higher risks due to inexperience, immaturity, and lack of awareness of hazards. Use this checklist to ensure you meet your obligations.

Definition check

  1. 1

    Confirmed whether the person is a young person (under 18) or a child (under compulsory school leaving age)

  2. 2

    If employing a child, checked local authority requirements for child employment permits

Risk assessment (Regulation 19)

  1. 1

    Specific risk assessment completed before the young person starts work

  2. 2

    Assessment considers inexperience, lack of awareness of risks, and immaturity

  3. 3

    Assessment considers the fitting out and layout of the workplace

  4. 4

    Assessment considers the nature, degree and duration of exposure to physical, biological, and chemical agents

  5. 5

    Assessment considers the form, range and use of work equipment

  6. 6

    Assessment considers the organisation of processes and activities

  7. 7

    Assessment considers the extent of health and safety training to be provided

Prohibited work (Regulation 19(3))

  1. 1

    Confirmed the work is not beyond the young person's physical or psychological capacity

  2. 2

    Confirmed no harmful exposure to toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic agents

  3. 3

    Confirmed no harmful exposure to lead or asbestos

  4. 4

    Confirmed no harmful exposure to ionising radiation

  5. 5

    Confirmed no exposure to extreme temperatures, noise, or vibration

  6. 6

    Confirmed no work involving risks from accidents that the young person is unlikely to recognise due to inexperience

Parent notification and working hours

  1. 1

    If employing a child, parent or carer informed of risk assessment findings and control measures before work starts

  2. 2

    Working hours comply with legal limits (16-17 year olds: max 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week)

  3. 3

    Rest periods provided (16-17 year olds: 12 hours between working days, 2 days rest per week)

  4. 4

    Night work restrictions observed (generally prohibited between 10pm and 6am for 16-17 year olds)

Training and supervision

  1. 1

    Adequate induction training provided before work begins

  2. 2

    Training adapted for the young person's age and experience level

  3. 3

    Appropriate supervision arranged, especially during initial period

  4. 4

    Young person knows how to report hazards and who to ask for help

  5. 5

    Emergency procedures explained and understood

Official guidance and resources