You should only do unpaid work experience placements with responsible host employers. A responsible employer will always make sure you receive proper training before you start. This includes how to handle equipment and keep safe on the work site.

When you do work experience you must follow reasonable instructions and avoid risks. This is to prevent injury to yourself and other people or damage to property.

Even when everyone does their best, sometimes accidents still happen.

If you are on an unpaid work experience placement you may not be covered by the employer’s insurance. This means if you injured at work it might be hard to pay for the cost of medical treatment.

You need to consider insurance coverage before commencing work experience. Some employers won’t risk giving you unpaid work experience unless insurance is in place.