Apprentices are more vulnerable to workplace injury than their more experienced workmates. Whether it is because of inexperience, lack of training, or hesitancy in seeking support, the disturbing reality is apprentices are overrepresented when it comes to workplace injuries.
With the support of EML, Master Builders SA has launched a new program aimed to proactively safeguarding the welfare of apprentices.
The Apprentice Safety Program
The aim of the program is to improve awareness among employers of the need to support young workers’ safety and mental health, and to implement effective injury management and workers compensation practices.
The program includes a range of injury prevention measures including:
- providing equipment for training purposes and to demonstrate verification of competency
- prevention of slips, trips and falls through site visits and assessments with apprentices and completion of check lists online
- education to ensure correct manual handling techniques
- online apprentice safety training program.
We see this program making a real difference to apprentices in South Australia. However, the risk to this group is not limited to construction sites in our state alone. If we can significantly reduce injuries here, I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t help trainees right across Australia. It’s a wonderful program and I look forward to developing our partnership with Master Builders SA in the months to come." Jessica Lyons EML’s General Manager SA.
The program was recently featured in the Autumn 2021 edition of SA Builder the official journal of the Master Builders Association of South Australia.
Read the full article here.