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Leglislation

Leglislation

The duties of the University - Departments to both employees and non-employees has been clearly set out previously in Section 3.0 College Safety Policy. Once students are on placements, they may be employees of the host employer and have the same responsibilities as other employees in that employment, including compliance with health and safety obligations. Equally the host employer has to provide the same duty of care to placement students as to his/her own employees.

When a Dept./the University organises placements on behalf of students or insist that students undertake placements as part of their academic course, legal responsibilities attach as per Common Law and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989. Essentially, the University and the academic organising or approving any/all student placements must satisfy themselves that the industry or concern accepting the student placement are aware of the provisions of statutory safety legislation and are addressing same in a pro-active and visible manner.

Responsibilities for student placement should be discharged in conjunction with the Head of Service, Careers and Appointments (C&A).

Academics/C&A representatives approving student placements should ensure that the host employer has a safety statement and proposes to adopt a format of induction training and guidance which will initiate and protect the students in the work environment within which they will be placed. The relevant academic or C&A representative should make every effort to visit the host employer and observe the workplace first hand and review the measures put in place to protect the students from all health and safety hazards which might affect the students. In the case of overseas placements, where it is not practicable for a UCC representative to visit at the pre-placement stage, it may be possible for an experienced independent 3rd party to conduct a visit. Failing this, "safety credentials/performance" should be checked with industry sources and regulatory safety agencies in the host country.

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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