Apprentice safety breaches lead to 66 company prosecutions

Five fatal incidents accounted for nine of the prosecutions and $3.21 million in fines. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said apprentices were among Victoria’s most vulnerable workers, with most aged between 15 and 24 and having limited work experience.

Young workers, including many apprentices, are most likely to be injured during their first six months in a new job, largely because they lack experience and are unfamiliar with the work. “Most of these young workers are just starting out,” Mr Jenkin said. “Their first years on the job or in a new industry should set them up for life with good habits and strong examples of safe work practices.”

Since the beginning of 2021, more than 3,000 injury claims from apprentices have been accepted. Falls from height accounted for 410 claims, along with 38 prosecutions and $2.48 million in penalties. Injuries from these incidents included skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, traumatic brain injuries, spinal and vertebral injuries, and other fractures.

Psychosocial hazards, including workplace bullying, harassment, occupational violence and aggression, were linked to more than 50 injury claims and many prosecutions. Mr Jenkin said many apprentices in these cases had initially been too frightened to report abuse or believed resigning was their only option. “When you’re young and new to an industry, it can be really daunting to speak up – especially when the person you’d be reporting is your boss or someone you rely on for career progression.”

WorkSafe exchanges information and intelligence with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). Over the past five years, the VRQA has banned more than 100 companies from employing apprentices, with health and safety reasons accounting for 40 per cent of those bans.

“An employer’s obligation to ensure the safety of their apprentices and trainees is non-negotiable and the VRQA won’t hesitate to take action when they fail to do so,” said VRQA CEO Stefanie Veal. She said information shared between the two agencies was essential to protecting apprentices and trainees from physical and psychological harm.

Although apprentices work across Victorian industries such as manufacturing, sports and recreation, and wholesale and retail trade, construction accounted for 61 per cent of injury claims and almost 70 per cent of WorkSafe’s prosecutions. Mr Jenkin said young workers brought innovation, new skills and future talent to workplaces but often needed additional support.

“Apprentices shouldn’t be left to figure out safety on their own when they’re new to the workforce and might not even know what safe practices look like.” Mr Jenkin said WorkSafe had guidance and resources covering falls from height, bullying, working alone and safe systems of work to help employers meet their obligations. Apprentices and other young workers concerned about workplace health and safety can contact WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need attention, including how you support apprentices and young workers. Take the free WHS self-check