Placement Approval/Appraisal

The first stage in the procedures is for the relevant academic/C&A representative to make written contact with prospective employers who intend to offer placements to students. This should take the form of an introductory letter and a general health and safety checklist.

The relevant academic/C&A representative should make an assessment based on the replies to the checklist and then visit the workplace prior to finally approving a student?s placement with the host employer.

On approval and prior to commencing work, the placement student should attend (a) a compulsory health and safety briefing - to be organised by the supervising academic/C&A representative and (b) safety induction training at the host employer?s location. The former may be given by external speakers or industry representatives arranged by the C&A service and delivered to select groups or large numbers of students attending specific categories of employers. This briefing should outline:

• the requirements and duties on employers and employees under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.
• general emergency procedures, work place hazards, safe systems of work, personal protective equipment and personal hygiene.
• general safety awareness when on placement.