A student job with complete safety

Many industrial accidents involving young people occur because they lack experience, use inappropriate working methods, or do not handle equipment properly. This is why lawmakers pay special attention to this group, which is considered a “particular category of workers” in terms of well-being, health, and safety at work.

Students in temporary jobs fall into this category and are subject to specific regulations.

In this article, we will focus only on the regulations concerning students in temporary jobs. However, you can consult the regulations for other categories of young people in our well-being at work section.

Risk analysis and preventive measures

If you want to employ students in temporary jobs, you must conduct a risk analysis for young workers before they start. This analysis will help you determine if the student can safely perform the proposed work.

Based on this analysis, you will implement specific preventive measures.

You will work with your internal service during the risk analysis and the implementation of preventive measures.

Is the proposed work allowed?

One of the preventive measures is the prohibition of young people performing work that is considered dangerous. This prohibition applies to all categories of young people. More generally, the following types of work are prohibited:

• work that exceeds the physical or psychological capabilities of young people;
• work that exposes young people to toxic and carcinogenic agents, which can cause hereditary genetic changes, have negative effects on fertility, affect the fetus during pregnancy, have endocrine-disrupting properties, or cause any other chronic harmful effects on humans;
• work that involves exposure to ionising radiation;
• work that includes risk factors for accidents that young people are presumed unable to identify or prevent due to their lack of safety awareness, experience, or training;
• work that may expose young people to extreme cold, heat, noise, or vibrations.

Additionally, the code on well-being includes a non-exhaustive list of agents, processes, works, and places where it is prohibited to employ young people.

If the work is prohibited, can exceptions be made?

Exceptions are possible, but the conditions depend on the category to which the young person belongs. For instance, exceptions will be more significant for a young person who is learning their future profession in your company, such as an apprentice, than for a student in a temporary job who wants to earn some money during their holidays.

For working students, exceptions to the prohibition can be made under the following conditions:

• the working student must be at least 18 years old,
• the focus of their studies must align with the activities for which the prohibition applies,
• the employer must ensure that the preventive measures taken are effective and monitored by a member of the management team or by themselves,
• the activities must take place in the presence of an experienced worker,
• the advice of the competent prevention advisor and the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work must be sought beforehand.

In practice, it is not always easy to determine whether the proposed work is allowed for a student or if the preventive measures are sufficient, as the general provisions may allow for interpretation.

The central prevention service for the temporary work sector, Prevention & Interim, has created a practical document for temporary employment agencies and users to ensure the employment of student temporary workers under safe conditions and in compliance with the law. It is available on the I am a student in a temporary job website. You will find many complete examples - Guide for Student Temporary Workers

The FPS Employment also provides specific rules for working students regarding the operation of motorised equipment intended for moving, lifting, stacking, storing, or unloading loads, or for loading and unloading trucks. More info

Health surveillance

Young people are subject to health surveillance, just like other workers. This must be organised if the health surveillance risk analysis indicates it is necessary.

However, the legislation also requires specific health surveillance if:

• The student in a temporary job is under 18 years old and is working for the first time, even if the position does not require health surveillance.
• The student in a temporary job is working night shifts.
• The student in a temporary job is performing work that deviates from the activities normally prohibited for student temporary workers.

What can Securex do for you?

Are you considering employing a student in a temporary job but unsure if the job is allowed or if the preventive measures are adequate? Contact your occupational physician or your company visitor.