Student Placement Safety & Reporting Hub

Students participating in unpaid work placements as part of their academic program at Lakehead University may be eligible for workplace insurance coverage through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) or Chubb Insurance. The type of coverage depends on the nature of the placement and the funding model of the program.

⚠️ Need to report an injury during your Unpaid Placement?  Click here

Health and Safety at Your Placement

Lakehead University is committed to ensuring that all students have access to safe and supportive placement environments. While on placement, students have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.  

If the placement takes place in Ontario, the students are considered workers while on placement and are therefore covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Under this act:

The Placement Employer is responsible for ensuring all OHSA requirements are met and to take every reasonable precaution to protect the student's health and safety.

The Training Agency (Lakehead University) has a similar duty of care and must take precautions to ensure student safety. 

❗Before Your Placement Begins

Mandatory H&S Training

  • Who: Required for specific placement programs (including Education, Nursing, and other clinical or unpaid placement streams).
  • Unsure? If your program involves a placement, check your student email or confirm directly with your Placement Coordinator to see if this training is required for you.

 Log in via the myCourselink Homepage to complete your modules before your start date.

Job Specific Training

Placement Employers must provide all necessary site-specific safety training. Under Ontario law, you have:

  • The right to be informed of workplace hazards.
  • The right to receive proper safety training and supervision.
  • The right to refuse unsafe work without fear of reprisal.

Administrative Checklist

  • Confirm with your academic program whether the placement is MCU-eligible.

  • Complete the Student Declaration of Understanding form (WSIB/Chubb).

  • Submit the form to your department’s placement coordinator.

  • Receive confirmation that insurance coverage is in place.

Your safety is our priority. If you have any concerns about safety at your placement, contact your Placement Coordinator immediately. All placement partners are strictly expected to comply with applicable health and safety legislation.

 Insurance Coverage for Students on Unpaid Work Placements

MCU-Eligible Programs (WSIB Coverage)

Students participating in unpaid work placements that are part of MCU-eligible programs and serving placement in Ontario at an employer covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) through the Ministry. This coverage applies only to unpaid placements that are a requirement of the student’s academic program and meet the criteria outlined by the MCU.

A completed and signed Student Declaration of Understanding of WSIB or Private Insurance Coverage form must be submitted before the placement begins.

Non-MCU Programs (Chubb Insurance)

Students participating in unpaid work placements that are part of MCU-eligible programs and serving placement in Ontario at an employer who is not covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are covered by Chubb insurance provided through the Ministry. These placements must be approved by the university, and the same documentation is required.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact your department’s placement coordinator.

⚠️  In the Event of a Workplace Injury

If a student is injured during an unpaid work placement:

STEP 1: IMMEDIATE CARE -  Student Must: 

  • Seek medical attention immediately if needed.

STEP 2: WITHIN 24 HOURS - Student Must:

  •  Notify the Placement Employer as soon as possible.
  •  Submit an LU Student Placement Injury Report using the Accident Report Form within 24 hours of the incident. 

To complete your report, please gather the following information

  • Placement agency's accident report
  • Signed Ministry Claim Form  (This file requires downloading to view outside a browser. Alternatively, use the Printable Version)
  • Signed Letter to Placement Employers (This was provided to you at the beginning of the academic year by your placement coordinator).
  • Contact your placement coordinator and/or LU’s Health and Safety Office for further guidance.

Step 3: Review the criteria below.

Review the criteria below. If your injury or illness matches any of these points, you must move on to insurance processing:
    • Medical Attention: You require treatment from a health care professional that charges a fee (such as a physician, hospital, dentist, or chiropractor).
  • Lost Time: You miss time from your placement beyond the actual date the accident occurred.
  • Modified Work: Your injury requires you to perform modified duties for more than 7 calendar days.
  • Disease Exposure: You have been exposed to a communicable disease during your placement.
 
If NONE of these apply: There is no further communication or follow-up required. The LU Student Placement Injury Report you submitted in Step 2 will be kept on file for record purposes only.
 

IMPORTANT:  All WSIB claim forms must be submitted within 3 days of learning about the incident. Late reporting may result in a WSIB penalty. 

 Prompt reporting is essential to ensure appropriate insurance claims can be filed in accordance with WSIB or Chubb requirements.

 Forms and Resources

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about your unpaid placement, insurance coverage, or workplace safety, please contact:

Health, Safety & Wellness Office
Lakehead University
807-343-8010 ext. 8671 or ext. 8806

trmoore@lakeheadu.ca