Workplace Health and Safety docx

Running head: FUNDAMENTALS OF HRM
Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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FUNDAMENTALS OF HRM
Introduction
Young workers of age 15 to 24 make up a significant part of the Australian Workforce.
These workers are noted for their enthusiasm, energy and determination towards the work that
are provided to them (Curry et al. 2015). They are known to be savvier than the older workers
regarding the use of modern and sophisticated technology in the workplace. These young
workers are an asset as they are noted for bringing in fresh ideas and perspectives to the tasks
that they are expected to perform. However, these young workers have less experience and
therefore they are less aware about the key risks associated with working in various workplaces
and the responsibilities they have to perform the work in an effective manner. The presence of
various “workplace health and safety” (WHS) laws enforces a responsibility of abiding by the
WHS laws.
The essay aims in critical evaluation of the injuries that are experienced by the young
workers in the Australian workplaces. The major causes of these injuries will be critically
analysed in this essay to detail the consequences of the workplace injuries subjected to both the
workers and organization. The essay will provide the details of the main industries in which the
injuries occur. The essay will provide the details of the legal entitlements that are mainly
conferred on the employees as a result of WHS laws. The legal responsibilities placed on the
organization as a result of WHS laws are further indicated in the essay. Administration of the
health and safety requirements of a workplace is a necessity to understand the human resource
practises that can be applied to eliminate these major risks factors from the work place.
Evaluation of the same is a necessity for eliminating the risks associated with workplace harm
and injuries.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF HRM
Extent of Serious injuries Faced by Young Australian workers
Work related injuries are quite common in Australian workplace. Epidemiological studies
have indicated that young workers generally have a higher occupational injury rate. The injuries
range from minor injuries to serious muscle sprains and strains in joints. However, there are
evidences of traumatic injuries as well (Xiang et al. 2014, p.250). Researches indicate that
deaths of the young workers in Australia due to serious injuries accounts for more than 10% of
the overall workplace fatalities. The serious work injuries include traumatic incident at work,
vehicle incident, constructional hazards and others. According to a report of work related injuries
survey (WRIS), Out of 12 million young workers in Australia who were of age less than 25 years
17% of the workers experienced work related injuries. This number is quite serious. The workers
experience these injuries as a part of their job and the rate of injuries is found to be higher among
the young workers. Young workers are more prone to these workplace injuries as they have little
or no experience about the workplace safety process and procedures (Roberts et al. 2015, p.
490). Along with that, the physical and the cognitive ability of these workers are still growing
and therefore, the young workers are more likely to face or experience serious injuries in the
workplace.
The major work place injuries that are faced by the young workers in Australia are
indicated as follows-
1. Muscular Stress: Lack of proper training or experience in lifting and handling objects
often result in muscular stress which can be serious. This is a common workplace injury that can
be avoided if staffs have the right amount of training and supervision. Lack of experience of the
young workers results in this type of injuries and workplace hazard.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF HRM
2. Fractures: Working in height are an essential needs for the constructional worksite in
Australia and it is one of the major causes of this injury. Fractures are often too serious that leads
to disabilities (Ioannou et al. 2016, p. 380).
3. Open Wound: Open wound and infection are quite common among the young workers
as they tend to ignore their injuries.
4. Contusion: This type of injuries are quite common in constructional workplace. Young
workers succumb to these injuries mostly because of lack of experience in handling heavy
objects
5. Tissue Disorders: Some injuries faced in a construction worksite are often too serious
and causes tissue disorders.
6. Deafness: This is one of the serious injuries that are faced by the young workers in
Australia. Working in extreme conditions among the machineries that generate huge sounds
often result in serious injuries to the ear drum causing deafness (Reid et al. 2014,p .380).
7. Dorsopathy and Hernia: These two are the common injuries that are faced in the
workplace and are counted among the serious injuries. Lack of training in handling heavy objects
results in these issues.
The above discussed seven points indicate the extent to which the young workers face
serious injuries in their workplace. The major causes of this injuries are requires to be analysed
to get a detailed knowledge of the factors that adds to the workplace injuries.
Major causes of Injuries: Details of Industries