Work Experience

Debate Chamber is five years old. It runs courses in schools, universities and town halls all over the country. Like many small knowledge-based businesses, its administration is done on desks and sofas, any spare space, in a flat rather than out of an expensive office building.

We thought it would be nice to offer an aspiring bright young thing work experience, doing some office work and coming out to help run events in schools.

The school then sent us a letter and a Health and Safety questionnaire, of which this is an excerpt.

It is, in fact, Health-And-Safety-Gone-Mad in its full tabloid glory.

Just filling out this form has to be done by someone, who will reasonably ask for money in return for the tedium. That person - let's call him James - has to read it, find out the answers, write them in the boxes and send it off. Informing our insurers, doing a risk assessment and offering full safety training about the risks of stuffing envelopes while talking to people all require time and therefore incur additional costs.

Nowhere does the school ask if we are all checked with the Criminal Records Bureau. Of course, we are. But let's face it, the trauma of paedophilia is nothing compared to the grievous risks associated with tripping over a cable, suffering a paper cut or forgetting that a hot cup of tea is, in fact, hot.

I don't blame the school for a moment. They are forced to live with this nonsense all the time. The sad thing is that all this bureaucracy makes companies less likely to offer these opportunities in the future.

Here it is...

1. Please describe briefly the kind of work our pupil will be doing/observing
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2. If you employ staff, please confirm that you have Employers Liability Insurance and that your Insurers have been notified of the placement (Work Experience Employment Liability)
YES
NO
If No, please indicate reason)
3. As to loss or damage of property, do you have cover for loss or damage to employer’s property (material damage) and other property including students (public liability)
4.
Do you have Public Liability cover?
YES
NO
5. If so, please state amount of cover £ ........................................
6. How many employees are employed at the site where our pupil will be based? .....................
7.
Do you have a written Health and Safety Policy?
YES
NO
8.
Does the site at which our pupil will be based have a Fire Certificate?
YES
NO
9.
Do you have provision for first aid?
YES
NO
10. Are there any areas of your site to which our pupil will not be permitted access for safety reasons?
YES
NO
11. Will our pupil be exposed to hazardous substances or activities during the placement?
YES
NO
12. Are there any significant risks to the health and safety of the pupil?
YES
NO
13. If your answer to Q10 or Q11 or Q12 is YES, please confirm that a risk assessment (and if relevant a COSHH assessment) in accordance with Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 has been carried out in relation to the placement (if YES, please attach copy).
Risk assessment?
YES
NO
}
(If yes, please attach a copy)
COSHH assessment?
YES
NO
}
14. Please state briefly what safety training will be given and what preventative and protective measures will be in place.
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15. Please state who will brief our pupil on arrangements for her safety (e.g. prohibited areas, fire
evacuation, first aid, presence of contractors, specific safety rules) ................................................…….
...................................................................................................................................................................
16.
Will our pupil have access to a staff canteen?
YES
NO
17.
Will her travelling expenses to her place of work be reimbursed?
YES
NO
18. Please give some indication of standard of dress (e.g. smart/casual/no jeans).............................…….
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19. Please indicate who will be responsible for our pupil whilst she is with you and for whom she
should ask on arrival.
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20.
Would you like our pupil to contact you to arrange a pre-placement visit?
YES
NO
Please indicate your normal hours of work and those expected of our pupil:
Normal Hours …………………………….. to ……………………………
Pupil Hours ……………………………….. to ……………………………