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Young workers in the construction industry and initial OSH-training when entering work life
Kari Anne Holte1, Kari Kjestveit
1Department of Social Science and Business Development, International Research Institute of Stavanger, Box 6840, 4068 Stavanger, Norway.
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|February 10, 2012
Summary
Young construction workers in Norway face high injury risks. Large companies offer more structured occupational health and safety (OHS) training, but formalization depends heavily on legal mandates and contractor demands, not just company size.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Construction Industry Safety
- Youth Employment
Background:
- Young workers are recognized as a vulnerable group regarding workplace injuries.
- The construction industry presents elevated accident risks, particularly for inexperienced young individuals.
- Norway permits full-time entry into construction at age 18, necessitating specific safety considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the integration and occupational health and safety (OHS) training of young construction workers in their workplaces.
- To understand the reception of young workers concerning OHS practices within the Norwegian construction sector.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative case study design.
- Inclusion of young workers/apprentices (< 25 years), colleagues, superiors, OHS managers, and safety representatives.
- Data collection through recorded interviews and content analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in OHS training reception were observed between large and small construction companies.
- Larger companies generally exhibit more formalized OHS training systems and routines for young workers.
- The extent of formalized OHS training is strongly influenced by legislative requirements and contractor stipulations, rather than solely by company size.
Conclusions:
- Formalized OHS training for young construction workers is significantly shaped by external regulatory and contractual pressures.
- While large companies tend to have more structured onboarding, the underlying drivers are compliance-driven.
- Further research may be needed to ensure OHS training adequately addresses the specific vulnerabilities of young workers in construction, beyond minimum legal requirements.
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