APPENDIX 5 - Insurance arrangements for pupils on work experience modules in Community/Comprehensive Schools 1996
Copy of letter from the Department of Education and Science to the Secretary, Board of Management of Community and Comprehensive Schools:-
Schools will be aware of difficulties encountered regarding the insurance arrangements for pupils placed with employers for the purpose of obtaining work experience as part of their school programme. These difficulties arose because the general indemnity normally applicable to Boards of Management of Community/Comprehensive schools cannot be extended to cover pupils while they are engaged in work experience outside the school environs. The Department, in close consultation with the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, has put in place revised arrangements.
The revised arrangements involve the execution of an insurance policy in the name of the Minister for Education with Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd. The policy provides employer liability indemnity, subject to the following conditions:
The policy provides an indemnity to employers participating in work experience programmes in respect of claims arising from personal injury to the students while on work experience.
The limit of indemnity provided will be £10m on any one accident, unlimited in any period of insurance.
Principals/course organisers should satisfy themselves with regard to the general suitability of employers’ premises prior to any placement being made. Liability arising from the list of excluded activities, as set out in the attached cover note, is not covered.
All employers should produce evidence of a Health and Safety Statement in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.
The Board should note the following, in particular:
- The normal reporting procedures regarding accidents and claims will continue to apply.
- The Board of Management and members of the teaching staff will, of course, continue to be fully indemnified against claims arising from the discharge of their duties in relation to work experience programmes under the existing general indemnity.
- Copies of the policy will be supplied to schools as soon as they become available.
- The new arrangements do not impact on the school constitution i.e. deed of trust.
- All pupils going on work experience are covered by the new policy except where pupils are already on work experience and are covered under the employer’s own policy.
A copy of the attached cover note duly completed to include the school’s name may be given to the employer as evidence of insurance cover for pupils engaged.
The new policy is effective from Monday 19th February, 1996. Should schools require any clarification on any aspect of these arrangements, please contact Post‑Primary Administration on 01-8734700
or 0506‑-21363, extension 1227.
Copy letter from Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Employers Liability Policy No. 0715 ‑ Minister for Education Work Experience Programmes ‑ Community and
Comprehensive Schools
This is to confirm that the above numbered policy has been extended to indemnify employers involved in Work Experience Programmes organised by _____________
The Indemnity to Employers operates on the basis that each employer is subject to the terms, conditions and exceptions of the policy.
The policy does not extend to include the following activities: ‑
1 . Atomic energy risks.
2. Aviation work or airport risks.
3. Demolition work of any kind.
4. Work in mines, collieries or quarries.
5. Ship breaking or ship repairing.
6. Tunnelling or work in sewers.
7. Stevedoring or dock side risks.
8. Any work in connection with explosives.
9. Gas works or filling of any gas into cylinders.
10. Manual work involving machinery in Engineering, Woodworking or Joinery works.
Limit of indemnity £10,000,000 any one accident.
Period of Cover 19th February 1996 to 18th February 1997.
DATED: February 12,1996 1, 2 & 3 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2. Telephone: (01)6778000, Fax: (01)6779558