DIFFERENT JOBS/DIFFERENT RISKS! By Jordan Trapani

The agricultural industry employs about 3% of all employees in Australia. About 4% of employed young people work in the agricultural industry. The main types or sub-sectors of the agricultural industry are: horticulture grain farming cattle farming fishing forestry. Many agricultural businesses are run by families where there is no real boundary between home and the workplace. There are many jobs that young workers can do in the agricultural industry including: farm hand fruit picker deck hand transport driver gardener machine operator. The most common hazards in the agricultural industry are: Using unguarded machinery - e.g.. the power take off on tractors or conveyor lines Manual harvesting - e.g.. fruit picking that involves awkward working positions and reaching above your shoulder or head Heavy lifting - e.g.. moving or lifting animals, moving feed and lifting fruit cases Elevated work - e.g.. working in silos and cool stores where there is the possibility of falling Fatigue - e.g.. working extended hours during peak times (e.g. harvesting) and working in hot or cold weather. The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when combined with risk factors such as: lack of supervision lack of training working alone working long days temporary employment trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co-workers. When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.

The construction industry employs about 10% of all employees in Australia. About 8% of employed young people work in the construction industry. There are several sub-sectors in the construction industry: domestic housing construction commercial and civil construction trade services. The industry has a high proportion of small employers and self employed workers and the use of sub-contractors is very widespread. There are many jobs that young workers can do in the construction industry including: plumber electrician carpenter builder's labourer bricklayer. The most common hazards in the construction industry are: lifting and pushing – e.g. handling heavy or awkward sized objects slips, trips, falls - e.g.. slipping on a wet surface or falling from a ladder using hand tools such as power tools, saws, shovels and crow bars noise from machinery such as concrete cutters, drills and saws atmospheric contaminants such as dust, synthetic mineral fibres and asbestos. The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when they are combined with risk factors such as: lack of supervision lack of training working alone being uninformed about their rights trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co-workers. temporary employment. When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.

The hospitality industry includes tour operators and guides, working in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and clubs, and at events. About 5% of all employees in Australia work in the hospitality industry and about 10% of employed young people work in the hospitality industry, so it is an industry with an over-representation of young workers. The industry has a high proportion of small employers with 85% of employers employing 20 or less employees. Part time and casual work is very widespread in the industry. There are many jobs that young workers can do in the hospitality industry including: waiters bar attendants ticket sellers chefs kitchen hands event staff. The most common hazards in the hospitality industry are: lifting and pushing - e.g.. handling heavy or awkward shaped objects slips, trips, falls - e.g.. slipping on a wet floor or tripping on uneven surfaces hot surfaces and substances - e.g.. hot plates, pans and splashes from hot oils or liquids cutting equipment – e.g. knives and electric meat slicers occupational violence - e.g.. abusive customers or dealing with robbers. The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when they are combined with risk factors such as: lack of supervision inexperience trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co- workers temporary employment long working days. When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.

The manufacturing industry is very diverse and covers the production of textiles, clothing and footwear, heavy machinery, chemicals and electronics. It employs about 12% of all employees in Australia and about 9% of employed young people work in the manufacturing industry. The industry has a high proportion of small employers and self employed workers. The use of sub-contractors is very widespread in the industry. There are many jobs that young workers can do in the manufacturing industry. These include: upholsterer machine operator plant operator textiles designer instrument fitter locksmith. The most common hazards in the manufacturing industry are: lifting and pushing - e.g.. handling heavy or awkward shaped objects slips, trips, falls - e.g.. slipping on a greasy floor or falling from a storage rack using hand tools such as drills and power saws noise from machinery such as stamping machines, presses and mixers chemicals - e.g.. using solvents, cleaning chemicals and acids. The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when they are combined with risk factors such as: lack of supervision inexperience lack of training being uninformed about their rights feeling invulnerable - that nothing can hurt you. When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.

The retail industry employs more people than any other industry sector in Australia - about 15% of all jobs. It also has the highest percentage of young workers - 40% of workers are under 25 years of age. For most young people their first job is likely to be in the retail industry. There are three main parts of the retail industry: food retailing personal and household goods motor vehicle retailing and services. There are many jobs that young workers can do in the retail industry. These include: sales assistant shelf stacker in a supermarket checkout operator in a supermarket apprentice in butchers or bakers delivery person. There are hazards in all industries. The most common hazards in the retail industry are: Lifting and pushing - e.g.. handling heavy or awkward sized objects Slips, trips, falls - e.g.. slipping on a wet surface or falling from a ladder Machinery - e.g.. using a bread slicer or power tools Occupational violence - e.g.. abusive customers or dealing with robbers Chemicals - e.g.. using cleaning products or spills from chemical products Bullying - e.g.. continual harassment by supervisors or co workers. The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when combined with risk factors such as: lack of supervision lack of training working alone working at night working long days undertaking repetitive tasks being uninformed about their rights trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co-workers. When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.