28 July 2003
Young Workers and the Law
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a total of 54 young people below the age of 18 were killed in workplace accidents in the five-year period between 1996 and 2001. In fact, the HSE says that young people are particularly vulnerable in the workplace because of their possible inexperience, immaturity and lack of awareness of health and safety risks. As a result, workers between 16 and 24 years of age face a higher risk of being injured at work than any other age group.It will therefore come as little surprise to find that there are tight legal controls in place to ensure the safety of young people at work. For example, in April 2003, the Working Time Regulations 1998 were amended to limit the amount of time that a young person can be required to work to a maximum of eight hours a day and 40 hours per week. However, a young worker ? who is defined under safety law as someone under 18 years old but over the minimum school-leaving age of around 16 years of age ? is exempt from these limits if:- There is a need for continuity of service or production, or to respond to a surge in demand;- No adult is available to perform the work; and- Carrying out the work would not affect the young worker?s training or education.The regulations also prohibit people under 18 working between 10pm and 7am, unless they are:- Involved in a cultural, sporting, artistic or advertising activity;- Working in shipping, fisheries or the armed services; or- Employed by a healthcare establishment.Meanwhile, children aged between 13 years old and the minimum school leaving age cannot be employed in industrial undertakings such as factories or construction sites (except when on work experience). In addition, employers are required to carry out a specific assessment to identify the health and safety risks posed to any person under 18 years of age before they begin work. Finally, if the young person is below the minimum school leaving age, the employer must inform their parents of the key findings of the risk assessment ? and the measures put in place to protect their child ? before work begins.Risk assessment forms and guidance are available on the BPIF website or by phoning Liz Cheetham on (0161) 886 8413 or Dale Wallis on (0161) 886 8412.
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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