The concerns of health, safety and welfare within the tri-partite relationship surrounding work placement for construction

Work placement in any area is considered within a three way relationship, with the University or teaching institution, the employer and the student representing the three parties. Each of these parties will bring different contributions to the relationship, and have different expectations of the outcomes. In addition, each party will have different levels of experience, and expertise in the world of work, in the employment relationship and in the carrying out of placements. This level of variation has to be accounted for in the facilitation and management of work placements. This paper draws upon direct involvement and participation in the relationship between the three parties, focusing on the negotiations and discussions of health, safety and welfare concerns. The information has been gathered over two years from large national and international contractors, regional contractors, small contractors and subcontractors. Consultancy practices and local authorities have also provided supporting information. The concerns of health, safety and welfare must be paramount in this relationship for construction. Employers have a duty of care and a responsibility to all their employees, whether attached as a work placement or in any other capacity. Employers also have first hand experience in the day to day management of risk and the strategies to minimize the impact. The University however has different concerns, and the application of these can be seen to be risk averse. Finally, the student will be for the most part the least experienced, but the most likely to be directly affected by health, safety and welfare issues. This paper explores the tripartite nature of the relationship, specifically focusing on health, safety and welfare issues, to examine how the various different needs may be successfully accommodated. The findings from this investigation are the revelation of the fundamental cultural differences of the three parties, most notably the employers and the teaching institution, as revealed in their dealing with and management of health, safety and welfare.