Work environment in different sectors

Here we provide some examples of risks in the sectors in which many young people work.

cafe worker at work

Working in shops

When you work in a shop you will perhaps meet customers, pack goods in the warehouse and deal with money.

Examples of risks you could encounter:

  • Heavy lifting or moving where there is not much space.
  • Working at a cash register and dealing with money. Being responsible for money can be stressful if you, for example, are threatened. A young person may not transport money, for example to the bank.
  • Opening or closing the shop yourself. Your manager should have gone through the risks and security to see if it is suitable for you as a young person.
  • Selling goods that one must be a certain age to buy, for example cigarettes. It can be difficult if other young people wish to buy them. Older children may not sell such goods at all.

Working at hotels and restaurants

Within the hotels and restaurants there are many different work tasks. There are also specific risks to consider.

  • Working where alcohol is served. There can be situations where you can meet drunk people.
  • Working in a restaurant kitchen. One can risk burn injuries for example, from stoves and hot oil. Certain dishwasher liquids can be very corrosive.
  • Kitchen appliances. Young people may not use machines where they can hurt themselves on moving parts. More about what applies to machines can be read in the provisions about young people.
  • Working at a cash register and handling money. Being responsible for money can be stressful if you, for example are threatened. A young person may not transport money, for example to the bank.
  • Opening and closing a restaurant by yourself. Your manager should have gone though the risks and security to see if it is suitable for you as a young person.     

Working with health care and social care

Working within health care and social care can be fun and educational, but also demanding depending upon where you work.

Examples of risks are:

  • In meetings with people there can be conflicts, threats and violence.
  • Heavy lifting or moving where there is not much space.
  • If you have allergies it could affect what you can work with.

Working on construction sites

Construction sites are a common work and training place for young people. It is also a workplace where it can be easy to hurt yourself. Here are some examples of particular risks to think about:

  • Heavy lifting or moving where there is not much space.
  • Working where there is a risk of accidents. Young people have accidents more often than adults. Your manager should see that you receive clear instructions and safety procedures. If you will be carrying out working tasks that are difficult, see that you receive help from your supervisor or foreman.
  • Working at height, for example, ladders, scaffolding and roofs. In the provisions  about young people, there is more information about what applies.
  • Coming into contact with chemical substances. Young people are more sensitive to chemical substances than adults.
  • Using machines. Young people may not use machines where they can injure themselves on moving arts. Young people without education may only use such machines if there is protection that means that the machine stops completely before it is possible to reach dangerous moving parts.

Working in workshops and industry

The work environment within workshops and industry can entail many risks. These could be noise, vibrations and chemicals. A job can be too monotonous with repetitive movements, which can wear on the body. Examples of other risks are lifting heavy objects or moving where there is not much space.

Young people may not use machines where they can injure themselves on moving parts. Young people without training may use machines where there is protection, which means that the machine stops completely before it is possible to reach dangerous moving parts.

Within, for example, the mining industry, there are also risks with heights, falling objects, risks of tripping, and great amounts of dust and gases.

Last updated 2023-10-10