Legal Standards
Suppliers are obliged by law to ensure as far as reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of employees and participants (Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978). There are other laws which also affect the employment and training of young people.

Enforcement
The Health and Safety Inspectorate is a group of professionals who visit work places to check on and improve standards. All serious and fatal accidents on Training for Success must be reported to them and will be investigated by them.

Avoiding Accidents
Avoiding accidents is mostly a matter of knowing the safest way to tackle each job.

The Scheme you are participating in will have rules for health and safety at work. This is required by law. Make sure you see and read them. You may find them different to what you are used to, but find out where they are kept available and refer to them before starting a job.

The important thing is to make sure your supervisor explains the safe working methods for each job before you start on it - and if they don't, or if you don't understand them, you must ask.

If other people offer you advice about safety, listen: they're only trying to help because they don't want to see you get hurt. The trade union safety representative, if you have one, will also help.

Remember, too, that safety isn't only about people; it is about preventing damage to goods and equipment as well. A bad fire, for example, could close down a factory and put a lot of people out of a job.

Never be afraid to ask about safety.

The following tips will give you an idea what it's about.

Safety clothing and equipment
Some tasks need special clothing like overalls, safety helmets, goggles, breathing masks and safety booys. For some tasks, it will be obvious that you should have one or more of these. For some tasks, it is required by law. Whether or not special regulations apply, you should be provided with the same protective equipment as anyone doing the same job in industry and if you are not offered it, you must ask for it.

Long hair, loose clothing, ties, scarves, necklaces and rings can all get caught in machinery. Don't chance it; remove them. Always wear the right kind of clothes for working. Tie long hair back or keep it out of harm's way under a hat or other protective garment.

High heels and floppy sandals cause accidents. If you come to work in them change into sensible shoes or boots that are suitable for the job.

Moving around
There is often a lot of space at work; there may be machinery, benches, moving vehicles and other people around you - things that could hurt or could be damaged.

Never run - walk. Make sure you don't bump inot other people - you could push them into an accident. Always look the way you're going.

Always obey safety signs, for example, keep fire doors shut.

Make sure you don't get hurt and that you don't hurt other people.

If you see anything that you think could cause an accident, tell your supervisor.

Protect your hands
Most jobs make your hands dirty. Do not use abrasives but wash them carefully whenever you get the chance, especially before you eat and after using the toilet. Don't lick your fingers.

For some jobs where hands get wet or oily or covered in paint and so on, it's a good idea to use a barrier cream to protect the skin.

If you are given barrier cream or hand cleanser, follow the rules about how and when to use it.

Wear gloves if they are needed.

Tidiness
Tidiness and safety go together, keep your work place tidy by putting tools, finished workpieces and unused materials in their proper place when you have finished with them.

The floor is important too - keep it clean and tidy. Don't leave things or materials on it that could cause people to slip or trip.

Remember

• Never tackle any job without knowing the safety rules for that job.
  
• Keep to the safety rules to stay safe and healthy.
  
• If in doubt - ask. You might not get a second chance.

Lifting and carrying
There are right ways and wrong ways of lifting and carrying things. The wrong ways can injure your back or your stomach. Ask your supervisor to show you the right way to lift and move things.

Don't lift things that are too big, too heavy or too awkward for you to manage - ask for help and don't be put off.

For some loads, gloves and other special clothing will need to be worn.

Before you pick something up, be sure you can lift it safely, that you know where it has to go, that the way there is clear and that you can put it down safely when you get there. While you are carrying it make sure that you can see where you are going.

Stacking
If things are badly stacked they can fall over, injure people and get damaged.

Listen to your supervisor's advice on how to stack neatly and safely.

If you have to use steps or a ladder to stack high up, seek your supervisor's advice. Ladders must be secured at the top or footed by another person standing at the bottom.

Dangerous substances
Many of the chemicals, solvents or other substances used at work can damage your health or can easily catch fire.

Dangerous substances will often be marked with a symbol or with words such as VERY TOXIC, TOXIC HARMFUL, CORROSIVE, IRRITANT, OXIDISING, HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, FLAMMABLE.

If you don't work with them, leave them well alone. If you do work with them follow your supervisor's instructions very carefully.

Always read labels and warning leaflets. Never keep chemicals in bottles used for drinks.

Machines
There are special rules about using certain types of machinery, eg woodworking machines and abrasive wheels. Never remove a safety guard. Never reach inside or step inside a machine, even though it is switched off, without asking your supervisor's permission first. Always follow any safety instructions you are given.

Before you use any machine your supervisor must point out to you the dangerous parts and train you to use the machine safely.

Use and carry hand tools carefully.

Electricity
Did you know that most accidents involving electricity are fatal?

Although a lot of people have had electric shocks and felt alright afterwards there is no guarantee that the next one will not be fatal.

Electrical apparatus should be treated with respect. Even a low voltage car battery can cause a nasty acident. Electricity can also cause fires and explosions. Never tamper with switches or overload or attempt to take apart electrical equipment.

If in doubt check with your supervisor.

Practical jokes
People have killed their workmates fooling around with things like machinery and high pressure air supplies. What starts as a joke can turn to tragedy quicker than you realise. So don't take risks with yourself - and especially don't take risks with other people.

Fire
Take very special care if you use any equipment with a naked flame or any hot tools or hot materials. Always take heed of your supervisor's advice in everything, and allow the rules on how to do the job safely.

Smoking is bad for your health but if you smoke, do so only when and where it is allowed. If you're not sure, ask your supervisor.

Put dead matches and cigarette ends in the trays or bins provided for the purpose. Throwing them on the floor or especially into waste bins can be very dangerous.

Make sure you know what to do if you hear the fire alarm and that you know how to get out in case of fire. Make sure you know how to sound the alarm if you discover a fire.