What should I check about site access and safety training before accepting a placement?
Before accepting a placement, confirm where and when you must attend, how the site can be reached, and whether it is accessible to you. Ask what induction, risk assessment, supervision, personal protective equipment, health checks or vaccinations, and other safety training are required, when they must be completed, and who pays. Also check emergency procedures, insurance, and whom to contact about hazards or incidents.
Key points
- Ask for written details of site rules, working hours, travel arrangements, required clothing or equipment, and any restrictions on access.
- Confirm whether training is provided by the university, placement provider, or another organisation, and whether completion is recorded before you start.
- Discuss reasonable adjustments, relevant health or mobility needs, and confidential ways to report safety concerns or incidents.
Things to check
- Requirements can vary by course, workplace, country, and the nature of the activities, so verify them with the university and placement provider before agreeing.
- Some sites may require additional checks or training after an initial induction, particularly where equipment, clinical settings, laboratories, or vulnerable people are involved.