Student Work PlacementsPeter Roddis MBA CMIOSH

Health and Safety Service

What happens when something goes wrong?

Who is at fault?

Duty on employers for employees Duty on the University for students and on individual placement managers

The student is hurt as a result of a lack of training There is likely to be a criminal prosecution for breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act (and related legislation),

Together with civil action for negligence

A student is sent to a high risk placement (e.g. on a construction site)

No health and safety assurances have been sought from the employer

the employer turns out to have been successfully prosecuted in the past for breaches of health and safety legislation.

Principles

Enabling Risk based

Accountability &

ResponsibilitySystematic

Enabling

It doesn't need to be over the top.....

it should be risk based...and

it shouldn't blur the lines of responsibility

Risk based

88 young people killed at work in the UK in the last five years

Source: British Safety Council

88died

StudentEmployer

Academic Administrator

Safe work placement

Accountability & Responsibility

Systematic

Clear roles and responsibilities

Risk profiling

High Risk Work

Factors

Construction site, working at

heights, etc

Machinery, entanglement,

etc

Community work with high

risk groups

Large or dangerous

animals

Laboratory work with high risk

materials

Systematic

The main changes1. Planning & Organising•More clearly defined roles and responsibilities

•need for a systematic approach•Risk based

2. Reaching agreement with provider•Its about them taking responsibility as employers

•Greater clarity on student insurance requirements

3. Risk Assessment•Its about the overall risk assessment

•Student has a role to play

4. Preparing students•Emphasis on provision with information and training

•Ensure they meet any requirements specified by provider

5. Approving the placement•Make it clear that the university is not approving the employers risk assessments.

•Clarify the role of staff.

6. Monitor and review•All student incidents are reported to University

•Process for review based on monitoring and feedback is maintained.

https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/essentialsafetymanagement/