Safe work. Fair treatment. A clear way to speak up.

If a task feels unsafe

Pause and ask your supervisor to explain the safe way to work if you do not understand a task or have not received the necessary instruction. Tell them what is worrying you: the equipment, environment, lack of supervision, protective equipment or a change in the task. Move away from immediate danger if you can do so safely. Call 999 for an emergency.

Follow the safety instructions and training you have received. Do not attempt a task simply to demonstrate progress or gather assessment evidence if you are unsure how to do it safely. Your learning requirements do not replace workplace safety arrangements.

Know the arrangements before you begin

Ask your employer to explain the induction, supervision and risk controls relevant to your work. HSE highlights that young workers may need additional instruction and supervision because of their experience and development. Apprentices under 18 are included in an employer’s responsibilities for young workers.

• Who supervises this task, and who can answer a question?
• What training or authorisation is required before using the equipment?
• Where are the emergency exits, first-aid arrangements and reporting contacts?
• How do I report a hazard, accident or near miss?
• What changes if I work at another site, remotely or outside usual hours?

Raise and follow up a safety concern

Report a concern through your employer’s safety procedure and tell your provider if it affects your learning or placement. Record the date, location, task and what you observed. Note whom you told and the action agreed. Avoid photographs or recordings if taking them would be unsafe or breach someone’s privacy.

If the concern remains unresolved, use the next contact in the employer’s procedure, such as a safety representative or manager. HSE explains how to raise a workplace health and safety issue and when another authority may be responsible. If the issue involves abuse or a risk to someone’s safety, contact your provider’s safeguarding lead too.

Fair treatment and adjustments

Bullying, harassment and discriminatory treatment can affect both work and learning. Describe what happened and use your employer’s or provider’s relevant reporting procedure. If the concern involves your usual contact, ask for an alternative route. You can seek impartial advice from Acas on discrimination and bullying at work.

Equality law protects characteristics including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. The protection and applicable process depend on the situation; Acas can help you understand workplace concerns.

Reasonable adjustments can remove or reduce disadvantages linked to a disability. Government guidance explicitly includes apprentices. Discuss the difficulty and the support that might help, such as accessible information, appropriate equipment or changes to working arrangements. Ask your provider separately about learning support and assessment arrangements, which may have their own approval requirements.

Keep the next step clear

Ask for the action, responsible person and review date to be confirmed. Share sensitive information through the approved private route, and ask who can access it. Ordinary portfolio evidence or a shared calendar entry is not the place for a detailed complaint or personal medical history.

Official information

Read HSE guidance on young people at work and GOV.UK guidance on reasonable adjustments. These general pages do not replace your employer’s task-specific instructions, your provider’s policy or advice on an individual concern.