School-to-Work Activity Categories,
Risk and Suggested Solutions

(All activities fall under one of three categories)

• Field Trip Activities

Definition: Groups of students visiting employer sites for a limited period of time as part of a coordinated and defined program, plan or curriculum, under the direct supervision of a school employee(s) or school authorized volunteer(s), and with transportation provided by the school or by authorized private vehicle(s).

Risk Potential: Minimum.

School personnel need to determine the risk level based on the number of visits or field trips, and types of visited sites. For example, more risk may exist in visiting a manufacturing plant as opposed to visiting an art museum. More risk may exist if the school has a large number of field trips.

Suggested Solutions:

1. Identify Risk Level

2. Verify Liability Coverage for Activities

3. Verify Transportation Coverage for Activities and Drivers

4. Use Field Trip Protocol and Checklist

5. Have Trained School Employee(s) Oversee Field Trip(s)

• Non-Paid Activities

Definition: One or more students visiting employer sites for a prescribed period of time as part of a coordinated and defined program, plan, or curriculum, not under the direct supervision, but monitored by a qualified school employee, transportation provided or not provided by the school, and not being paid or compensated by the employer.

Risk Potential: Medium to High.

A higher level of risk exposure exists when a student is away from school and not under the direct supervision of a school employee. School personnel need to determine if the risk is medium or high depending on the site. For example, the risk is potentially higher for a student visiting a construction site and presumably less when visiting a library.

Suggested Solutions:

1. Ensure there is a Student Accident Insurance Coverage

2. Verify Liability Coverage for Activities

3. Verify Transportation Coverage for Activities and Drivers

4. Use Non-Paid Activities Protocol and Checklist

5. Have Trained School Employee(s) Oversee Non-Paid Activities

• Paid Activities

Definition: One or more students placed at employer sites for a prescribed period of time as part of a coordinated and defined program, plan or curriculum, not under the direct supervision but monitored by a qualified school employee, transportation provided or not provided by the school, paid or compensated by the employer and an employer-employee relationship exists.

Risk Potential: High for both school and employer due to the amount of time a student spends at the work site.

Suggested Solutions:

1. Ensure there is Workers’ Compensation Coverage

2. Verify Liability Coverage for Activities

3. Verify Transportation Coverage for Activities & Drivers

4. Use Paid Activities Protocol and Checklist

5. Have Trained School Employee(s) Oversee Paid Activities