Young people encouraged to speak up on safety

Speak Up, Stay Safe is a new
campaign from the British
Safety Council which is
asking young people to take
responsibility for their own
health and safety. Julie
Nerney, chief executive says:
“Every 40 minutes in the
UK a young person is
seriously injured in the
workplace. We think this
position is wholly
unacceptable. By
highlighting to young
people that they need to be
aware of their environment
and speak up if they feel
unsafe we hope to reduce
this number.”
The campaign supports
young people to feel
confident talking to their
work supervisor, parent,
teacher or friends if they feel
they are in an unsafe
situation. No young person
should feel pressurised to
work in an environment
where there is a risk of
injury or death.

The British Safety Council
is promoting the campaign
directly to young people
through facebook, twitter
and YouTube. Specialist
tips and advice will be
provided through resources,
case studies and animation.

In January 2004, Steven
Burke was killed on a work
placement when he fell
more than 50ft from
dangerous scaffolding. He
felt unsafe in the days
leading up to his death but
trusted his employer to look
after his safety. The BSC
wants young people who
could find themselves in a
similar situation to Steven
to Speak Up, Stay Safe.