Risk Management at a Glance for Ontario Schools

Co-op Education

An effective Co-operative Education or Experiental Learning Program should have the following goals:

1. The safety of the students;
2. Making the Co-op/Experiental Learning program a beneficial educational experience for the students;
3. Establishing and maintaining good relation ships with participating employers.

In order to achieve these goals, consideration must be given to the following risk management issues:

High Risk Work Placements:

Work placements which expose students to a high risk of personal injury should be avoided if possible. Examples of high risk placements would include, but are not limited to the following:

• law enforcement patrols - riding with or accompanying police officers on patrol duty;
• emergency response - riding with ambulance, fire or rescue teams;
• ground or air crew member for any aircraft;
• activities involving the handling of nuclear or other hazardous materials or chemicals;
• medical labs - exposure to hazardous bacteria, Hepatitis, AIDS or HIV;
• activities that place students in dangerous environments resulting from noise, pollution, chemical reactions, wild animals, or the use of dangerous equipment;
• where driving personal, employer's or customer's vehicles is required.

Risk Management Recommendations:

1. Co-op teachers should regularly visit the work sites.
2. Establish a list of high risk job placements (see above example).
3. Follow up immediately on any safety-related concerns reported by co-op students.
4. Ensure students are physically/mentally/emotionally capable of the job duties.
5. Ensure employers are fully aware of their responsibilities and any insurance coverage issues related to students operating vehicles.

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