Health & Safety

Health & safety of young people on Work Experience is a shared responsibility of all the stakeholders in the process:

The School or other organiser of work experience has a duty of care towards young people under their care and must ensure that all placements are Health and safety checked by suitably competent person.
The Employer has the same duty of care towards young people on Work experience as they have towards their own employees, with the addition that they need to provide the young persons parents or carers with infomation on the key findings of risk assessment and the control measures taken before the Young Person starts work
The Local Education Authorities (there are four in the west of england area) have a duty to oversee and monitor work experience to ensure that schools are complying with relevant guidance and discharging their duty of care Contact Details
Connexions West of England Contact Details have a duty to ensure that work experience is carried out in the West of England area in line with local and national legislation and in line with its contractual agreeements, and to ensure adequate communication is maintained between stakeholders
Trident from Edexcel. Contact Details Carry out Health and Safety inspections on employers in line with national and local guidelines.

A More detailed description of the stakeholder's individual responsibilities is outlined below.

Schools or Other Organisers of Work Experience

School or other organisers of work experience:

Use the WEX Online system to process all placements and ensure that they are suitable and health and safety approved.
Ensure that details of companies who are not currently health and safety approved are sent to Trident from Edexcel a minimum of eight weeks before the placement starts (12 weeks if the placement is outside the West of England area. 15 weeks if the placement is in London). Each school or other organiser of work experience will be notified annually of their allocation of credits.
Obtain parental consent for each individual student’s work experience via a letter or the consent form contained within WEX Online.
Confirm placements with employers through the Consent forms on the WEX Online system.
Inform the Connexions West of England Work Experience Coordinator if there are any allegations made during a placement. Allegation Investigation Policy
ensure all young people are aware of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour by a placement provider or one of their employees. Guidelines for Staff briefing young people who go out on Work Experience
Ensure all child protection issues are covered in line with the Department for Education and Skills policy ‘Safeguarding Children in Education’. Best Practice and Resources.
Ensure copy of risk assessment is received and passed to parent/carer.
Ensure employer is informed of any medical or other conditions that may affect the student on their placement.

Employers

Employers will:

Ensure that students (ages 14-16) on any type of work experience do not operate any hazardous machinery, work in a hazardous environment, or carry out work of an unsuitable or objectionable nature, and that any special or protective clothing/equipment is supplied where necessary.
Not allow students to work outside the hours stipulated in the job description unless the prior agreement of the parents/carers has been obtained.
Ensure Employer’s Liability Insurance cover against accident or injury caused by students, whilst acting as servants of the organisation.
In case of absence, accident or sickness, notify, by telephone and without delay, the Head Teacher of the student’s school, or Trident from Edexcel (Contact Details) and the student’s home if a telephone number is given.
Allow students to use whatever first aid facilities the employer provides.
Observe all current legislation, in particular that relating to Health and Safety and be aware of and implement ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’.
Agree to undertake a risk assessment (see below), appropriate to young people, and communicate this to the student’s parents/carers.

Risk Assessment

The following information is designed to assist employers in carrying out a ‘risk assessment’, a legal requirement of British law. It is designed to reduce the possibility of the student having an accident. A copy of this risk assessment must be given to the student.

An example of a blank risk assessment form is available here. Risk Assessment of Employers’ Premises form

Safety Information

Check that the student has received, read and understood all the safety information provided to your employees.

Safety Rules

Make sure the student is aware of:

what they must do and why
the risks involved with certain activities
how to treat plant and machinery

Give them a copy of their job description/list of key tasks they will do and make sure they stick to it.

Emergency Procedures

Check that the student is aware of what to do if an emergency arises
Show them the escape routes, assembly points and how to access first aid
Show them any specific safety devices relating to equipment in use, e.g. electrical isolation
Show them how to report all accidents
Make sure they know how to get help if it is needed.

Protective Clothing

Issue the student with the necessary protective clothing
Make sure they know how to use and adjust it
Tell them where to store it when not in use
Check that they wear it when necessary.

Using Equipment/Hand Tools

Check that the student:

Knows what each piece of equipment/tool is for
Can carry things safely
Understands the dangers of misuse
Recognises when equipment/tools are unsafe.

Hidden Problems

Be aware of any physical disabilities, or other problems, that could affect their work. For example, fear of heights, language difficulties, restricted movement of limbs.
Don’t accept statements like “We did that at school” or “I’ve done that before”. Always err on the side of caution.
Ask open questions such as “Why do we do that?” or “What would happen if…?”. This will give you a good idea of the student’s understanding.
Please ensure that the student is always supervised.
Ensure anyone who may supervise them is aware of what they can and cannot do.
Some students may be shy. Please reassure them that it is good to ask questions or make comments and tell them it is okay if they don’t understand something or if something concerns them.

The Local Education Authorities

The Local Education Authorities will:

work with Connexions West of England to ensure that all students (aged 14-16) on work experience only go to approved placements
nominate designated representatives to meet with Connexions West of England three times a year. The purpose of these meetings will be to:

allow the Local Education Authorities to monitor the provision of work experience placements
ensure the Local Education Authorities are satisfied that all parties are adhering to the Work Experience Policy

Connexions West of England

The Learning and Skills Council West of England contract Connexions West of England to oversee work experience provision. Connexions West of England will:

strive to ensure there are policies and procedures in place to enable work experience placements to reach specified standards
ensure that an efficient and satisfactory relationship is maintained between the partners
have arrangements in place to ensure the Local Education Authorities are able to fulfil the statutory obligation they have in regard to the health and safety of their students
monitor Trident from Edexcel to ensure that the placement checks carried out are in line with the Contract Schedule between the two organisations
remain committed, with its partners, to the continuous improvement and upgrading of work experience provision in the West of England area
inform the head of the school concerned if there are any allegations made during a placement. Allegation Investigation Policy
keep the Local Education Authority Health and Safety Officer informed of any accident investigations. Accident Investigation Policy.

Trident from Edexcel

Trident from Edexcel will:

ensure that placements are checked to a standard approved by Connexions West of England and in line with Learning and Skills Council recommendations. Placement Health and Safety Checklist
provide S-cool with up to date information on companies approved for health and safety on a regular basis which can be fed into the WEX Online and WEX Online Plus systems
check placements every three years (if deemed low risk), two years (medium risk) or one year (high risk)
ensure that schools, the LEA and Connexions West of England are kept informed of all issues regarding the checking of placements
ensure that employers are informed of their responsibility in regard to risk assessment and child protection precautions
investigate reported accidents on behalf of Connexions West of England. Accident Investigation Policy

Health and Safety Inspections not carried out by Trident from Edexcel

Should a school wish to do its own health and safety inspections, they must check with their employer (ie the LEA or the Board of Governors in the case of a Foundation, voluntary aided or private school) about the competence of the person carrying out the inspection. The potential employer visitor should have a recognised Health and Safety Qualification (eg NEBOSH and Ento HSS8) or through other vocational means. The employer visitor should also have sector specific competencies for the areas they must inspect. The Learning and Skills Council who oversee and fund many work experience organisers, say that such organisers should be satisfied that their employer visitors are competent to do so. The LSC would carry out quality testing in line with standards laid down through Ento Unit D to assess people’s competence. Information on this is available at www.ento.co.uk/information/purpose.htm

A Local Authority school should contact their LEA Safety Adviser in the first instance to decide what the appropriate standard should be.

Other useful Health and Safety Websites

A useful site from the Health & Safety Executive with guidance for young people who are unfamiliar with the workplace

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is the goverment agency responsible for the enforcement of Health and Safety, is available via www.hse.gov.uk

HSE publications are available from HSE books at www.hsebooks.com and the main publication "Managing Health and Safety on Work Experience a guide for organisers"

Main publication “Managing Health and Safety on Work Experience a guide for organisers”

General Child protection advice is included at www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection.

A toolkit providing examples of good practice, case studies, links and other useful information to help colleges, providers and others funded by the LSC improve standards of health and safety to benefit learners is available at www.safelearner.info.

The guidance “Safeguarding Children in Education.” is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications/ (Annex: Safeguarding Children in Education, Work Experience for under 18s, Supplementary DfES Guidance November 2004, Flowchart: Long Term Extended Work Experience)

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The Employer has the same duty of care towards young people on Work experience as they have towards their own employees, with the addition that they need to provide the young persons parents or carers with infomation on the key findings of risk assessment and the control measures taken before the Young Person starts work The Local Education Authorities (there are four in the west of england area) have a duty to oversee and monitor work experience to ensure that schools are complying with relevant guidance and discharging their duty of care Contact Details Connexions West of England Contact Details have a duty to ensure that work experience is carried out in the West of England area in line with local and national legislation and in line with its contractual agreeements, and to ensure adequate communication is maintained between stakeholders Trident from Edexcel. Contact Details Carry out Health and Safety inspections on employers in line with national and local guidelines. A More detailed description of the stakeholder's individual responsibilities is outlined below. Schools or Other Organisers of Work Experience School or other organisers of work experience: Use the WEX Online system to process all placements and ensure that they are suitable and health and safety approved. Ensure that details of companies who are not currently health and safety approved are sent to Trident from Edexcel a minimum of eight weeks before the placement starts (12 weeks if the placement is outside the West of England area. 15 weeks if the placement is in London). Each school or other organiser of work experience will be notified annually of their allocation of credits. Obtain parental consent for each individual student’s work experience via a letter or the consent form contained within WEX Online. Confirm placements with employers through the Consent forms on the WEX Online system. Inform the Connexions West of England Work Experience Coordinator if there are any allegations made during a placement. Allegation Investigation Policy ensure all young people are aware of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour by a placement provider or one of their employees. Guidelines for Staff briefing young people who go out on Work Experience Ensure all child protection issues are covered in line with the Department for Education and Skills policy ‘Safeguarding Children in Education’. Best Practice and Resources. Ensure copy of risk assessment is received and passed to parent/carer. Ensure employer is informed of any medical or other conditions that may affect the student on their placement. Employers Employers will: Ensure that students (ages 14-16) on any type of work experience do not operate any hazardous machinery, work in a hazardous environment, or carry out work of an unsuitable or objectionable nature, and that any special or protective clothing/equipment is supplied where necessary. Not allow students to work outside the hours stipulated in the job description unless the prior agreement of the parents/carers has been obtained. Ensure Employer’s Liability Insurance cover against accident or injury caused by students, whilst acting as servants of the organisation. In case of absence, accident or sickness, notify, by telephone and without delay, the Head Teacher of the student’s school, or Trident from Edexcel (Contact Details) and the student’s home if a telephone number is given. Allow students to use whatever first aid facilities the employer provides. Observe all current legislation, in particular that relating to Health and Safety and be aware of and implement ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’. Agree to undertake a risk assessment (see below), appropriate to young people, and communicate this to the student’s parents/carers. Risk Assessment The following information is designed to assist employers in carrying out a ‘risk assessment’, a legal requirement of British law. It is designed to reduce the possibility of the student having an accident. A copy of this risk assessment must be given to the student. An example of a blank risk assessment form is available here. Risk Assessment of Employers’ Premises form Safety Information Check that the student has received, read and understood all the safety information provided to your employees. Safety Rules Make sure the student is aware of: what they must do and why the risks involved with certain activities how to treat plant and machinery Give them a copy of their job description/list of key tasks they will do and make sure they stick to it. Emergency Procedures Check that the student is aware of what to do if an emergency arises Show them the escape routes, assembly points and how to access first aid Show them any specific safety devices relating to equipment in use, e.g. electrical isolation Show them how to report all accidents Make sure they know how to get help if it is needed. Protective Clothing Issue the student with the necessary protective clothing Make sure they know how to use and adjust it Tell them where to store it when not in use Check that they wear it when necessary. Using Equipment/Hand Tools Check that the student: Knows what each piece of equipment/tool is for Can carry things safely Understands the dangers of misuse Recognises when equipment/tools are unsafe. Hidden Problems Be aware of any physical disabilities, or other problems, that could affect their work. For example, fear of heights, language difficulties, restricted movement of limbs. Don’t accept statements like “We did that at school” or “I’ve done that before”. Always err on the side of caution. Ask open questions such as “Why do we do that?” or “What would happen if…?”. This will give you a good idea of the student’s understanding. Please ensure that the student is always supervised. Ensure anyone who may supervise them is aware of what they can and cannot do. Some students may be shy. Please reassure them that it is good to ask questions or make comments and tell them it is okay if they don’t understand something or if something concerns them. The Local Education Authorities The Local Education Authorities will: work with Connexions West of England to ensure that all students (aged 14-16) on work experience only go to approved placements nominate designated representatives to meet with Connexions West of England three times a year. The purpose of these meetings will be to: allow the Local Education Authorities to monitor the provision of work experience placements ensure the Local Education Authorities are satisfied that all parties are adhering to the Work Experience Policy Connexions West of England The Learning and Skills Council West of England contract Connexions West of England to oversee work experience provision. Connexions West of England will: strive to ensure there are policies and procedures in place to enable work experience placements to reach specified standards ensure that an efficient and satisfactory relationship is maintained between the partners have arrangements in place to ensure the Local Education Authorities are able to fulfil the statutory obligation they have in regard to the health and safety of their students monitor Trident from Edexcel to ensure that the placement checks carried out are in line with the Contract Schedule between the two organisations remain committed, with its partners, to the continuous improvement and upgrading of work experience provision in the West of England area inform the head of the school concerned if there are any allegations made during a placement. Allegation Investigation Policy keep the Local Education Authority Health and Safety Officer informed of any accident investigations. Accident Investigation Policy. Trident from Edexcel Trident from Edexcel will: ensure that placements are checked to a standard approved by Connexions West of England and in line with Learning and Skills Council recommendations. Placement Health and Safety Checklist provide S-cool with up to date information on companies approved for health and safety on a regular basis which can be fed into the WEX Online and WEX Online Plus systems check placements every three years (if deemed low risk), two years (medium risk) or one year (high risk) ensure that schools, the LEA and Connexions West of England are kept informed of all issues regarding the checking of placements ensure that employers are informed of their responsibility in regard to risk assessment and child protection precautions investigate reported accidents on behalf of Connexions West of England. Accident Investigation Policy Health and Safety Inspections not carried out by Trident from Edexcel Should a school wish to do its own health and safety inspections, they must check with their employer (ie the LEA or the Board of Governors in the case of a Foundation, voluntary aided or private school) about the competence of the person carrying out the inspection. The potential employer visitor should have a recognised Health and Safety Qualification (eg NEBOSH and Ento HSS8) or through other vocational means. The employer visitor should also have sector specific competencies for the areas they must inspect. The Learning and Skills Council who oversee and fund many work experience organisers, say that such organisers should be satisfied that their employer visitors are competent to do so. The LSC would carry out quality testing in line with standards laid down through Ento Unit D to assess people’s competence. Information on this is available at www.ento.co.uk/information/purpose.htm A Local Authority school should contact their LEA Safety Adviser in the first instance to decide what the appropriate standard should be. Other useful Health and Safety Websites A useful site from the Health & Safety Executive with guidance for young people who are unfamiliar with the workplace The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is the goverment agency responsible for the enforcement of Health and Safety, is available via www.hse.gov.uk HSE publications are available from HSE books at www.hsebooks.com and the main publication "Managing Health and Safety on Work Experience a guide for organisers" Main publication “Managing Health and Safety on Work Experience a guide for organisers” General Child protection advice is included at www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection. A toolkit providing examples of good practice, case studies, links and other useful information to help colleges, providers and others funded by the LSC improve standards of health and safety to benefit learners is available at www.safelearner.info. The guidance “Safeguarding Children in Education.” is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications/ (Annex: Safeguarding Children in Education, Work Experience for under 18s, Supplementary DfES Guidance November 2004, Flowchart: Long Term Extended Work Experience) back to top
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