Many serious injuries happen at work and among the trades, construction workers have one of the highest rates of injury.

To learn more about this issue Youthsafe surveyed more than 800 apprentices in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, civil construction and shopfitting to find out what apprentices learn about workplace safety at TAFE and at work and about their experiences of workplace injury.

Apprentices were very concerned about workplace hazards – especially working at heights and dealing with electrical power or electrical equipment and hazardous materials, including asbestos. Equipment such as earplugs and safety glasses were much more likely to be available when they were needed by the apprentices than were harnesses, sunscreen and safety vests – and when safety equipment was provided, it was much more likely to be used.

A fifth of the apprentices had been injured moderately or very seriously at work and minor injuries often happened daily. Almost one third had lost time at work and/or TAFE as a result of getting injured. Despite this only about half of the apprentices had learned about the NSW Workers’ Compensation Scheme.

Apprentices learned most about WHS at TAFE although they still looked to employers, supervisors or workmates for safety information.

Teachers recognised the importance of workplace safety as a priority within the apprenticeship course and most encouraged apprentices to speak up about safety.

Teachers suggested improvements to ensure the teaching environment was adequate and that staff to student ratios were reduced, especially in the workshop.

Only 45% of teachers covered Workers’ Compensation information in a TAFE class.

This study points to many opportunities for workplace safety interventions both at TAFE and on worksites.

Download the full report “Summary of results from the survey of Apprentices and TAFE Teachers”.