Work Safety on the job - Teachers perspective
In the situation of WBL there are three parties involved when it comes to work safety. Before the students begins his WBL all parties involved should check their responsibilities concerning work safety. In this chapter we will look at the responsibilities and rights of teachers mentoring students during WBL.
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In general safety should be a constant recurring topic in education and documentation. Teachers should make the students aware of the importance of work safety and the role students, work mentors, employers and teachers have when it comes to providing a working culture that promotes safe working environments.
The teachers shall act as role models and teach students about safety regulations, show exemplification, coach students constantly on safety during practical lessons and WBL. Teachers should stimulate student to see the utility and necessity of safety regulations..
Already before the students begins his WBL, the student should be introduced to the company and its health and safety regulations. A teacher should also encourage the students to ask specific questions about safety (PPE etc.) and ask about the company-specific rules regarding safety.
HOW can teachers help to improve work safety during wbl?
- Inform students before starting about the expected jobs at the company and tasks to be done for school. Make sure that the student knows about his rights and obligations in general and in relation to work safety
- Stay in regular contact with the company (phone or visit). The number of visits or phonecalls should depend on the students skills and needs. Inform the work mentor and the student about your visit and tell them what you hope to discuss during the meeting.
- When visiting the work mentor and the student make notes of the progress the student has made and what the student still needs to work on. Bring up the things that the student needs to improve/work on during your next visit to the student and work mentor
- Have frequent contact with the student so that you can freely discuss the WBL period and how (s)he thinks work safety procedures are implemented at the company where (s)he works
- Continue discussing the topic of WorkSafety with the students when they return from their WBL back to school. Invite the students to share their experiences and what they have learned during WBL to their fellow students .
Suggestions on Topics to discuss with the empl0yer or the work mentor prior to sending students on WBL
In order to improve students knowledge about topics relating to health and safety it is important that work safety in a reoccurring topic during the mentoring sessions held between the student and work mentor and the student, work mentor and teacher. Already before sending students on WBL we recommend that the teacher and employer or work mentor sit down to discuss how to provide students with a safe learning environment openly. Below are suggestions on topics that you can discuss with the employer:
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- do you have a health and safety policy? How do you implement it?
- are your risk assessments up-to-date? Do they cover risks to young people on work experience?
- what are your procedures for dealing with accidents and emergencies?
- what fire safety training do you provide for staff and work experience students?
- what first aid arrangements do you have (personnel trained in first aid, equipment, procedures, record keeping)?
- what are your procedures for reporting and recording accidents?
- do you consult employees on health and safety, and do you have appointed worker safety representatives?
- do you provide the necessary protective equipment?