MEPs support IOSH injury at work campaign

Three MEPs have backed a campaign to reduce the number of young people injured at work.

Conservative MEP Chris Heaton-Harris, UK Independence Party representative Derek Clark and Jean Lambert of the Green Party threw their weight behind a six-point plan produced by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The Putting Young Workers First campaign calls for:

• Health and safety to be part of teacher training
• Health and safety education to be a mandatory part of every curriculum
• Better vetting of work experience placements
• Better supervision during work experience placements
• Tighter accident reporting involving young people
• The government to make health and safety a priority

Heaton-Harris said: "It is our responsibility to ensure that our young people are adequately prepared for starting work.

"With 64 under-19s killed in the workplace in the last decade and a further 15,000 suffering major injuries, this is clearly a matter that requires prompt attention."