Contracts and Insurance

Facility Placement Agreement

Occupational Therapy students are assigned to fieldwork placements only at facilities that have a signed Affiliation or Placement Agreement with the Faculty of Medicine and/or Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto. This agreement specifies in writing the terms of the relationship between the fieldwork facility and the university. The agreement also outlines the University’s responsibility for maintaining comprehensive liability insurance for the actions of its Student Occupational Therapists during fieldwork experience.

All Occupational Therapists who supervise students must have at least one year of clinical experience, be a member in good standing of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (or the equivalent if placement is in another province or country) and be eligible for membership with CAOT.

Student Accident/Injury Insurance

The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), pays the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for the insurance coverage of student trainees enrolled in an “approved program” at the training agency (University of Toronto) during unpaid work placements with employers that have WSIB coverage for their employees. MCU also covers the cost of private insurance with Chubb for Student Trainees whose placement is with employers that are not required to have WSIB coverage for their employees. Coverage is in effect from the start date of the unpaid work placement to its end.

MCU Guidelines, Questions and Answers and Claim Form

Download MCU guidelines

Student Trainees are eligible for accident/injury insurance:

The placement is unpaid
The placement is authorized and a part of an approved program

Student Trainees are not eligible for accident/injury insurance:

If the program is not funded through MCU operating grants; or
Placements for which a Student Trainee is paid a salary.
Placements which occur at the University of Toronto – The University is responsible for providing workplace insurance for students completing their placement on campus. If the placement is not a required part of their program and they have arranged or organized it themselves; or
Placements in the country of primary residence of an international Student Trainee – A limitation of private workplace insurance policy, the placement site may extend their coverage for the student.

It is recognized that some students will travel with or without their preceptors to visit clients in the community. As long as the student is travelling from the fieldwork site to the clients’ homes the student will be covered by workplace insurance in case of accident or injury. The program does not cover the “break” travel time when the student is not visiting clients or the student is getting to and from work.

Each fieldwork facility that takes students must sign a Letter to Placement Employer which is an overview of the student’s workplace insurance coverage. The letter also requests the placement site to confirm their responsibilities to create a safe working environment, inform the University of any workplace accident or injury, and work with the University if a claim is required. Students are required to complete a similar declaration of understanding. The signing of this form by the student confirms understanding of their responsibilities and confirm that their personal information will be disclosed to Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) and WSIB or Chubb.

Student trainees are required to report all accidents/incidents both to their placement employer (preceptor at their placement) and the OS&OT Fieldwork Office within 24 hours.

During an international placement, students are to immediately contact the Safety Abroad Office for any accidents, illness, theft and breach of security, harassment or sexual assault, etc. Safety Abroad Office has 24 hour assistance accessed by phoning 416-978-2222. They will take a collect call. Students are also asked to contact the International Fieldwork Coordinator, Director of Clinical Education and the Administrative Assistant – Clinical Education via email as soon as possible after the incident.

Student Accident Procedures and Reporting

In the event of an accident during a placement, students are required to:

Promptly obtain first aid
Report the accident to their preceptor at the facility
Report the accident to the University Fieldwork Instructor
Complete and submit the Student on Unpaid Work Placements Accident Report to the University Fieldwork Office
The University will provide next steps.

In the event of an accident, the fieldwork facility is required to:

Ensure that first aid is given immediately and provide transportation to a hospital, doctor’s office or the student’s home, if necessary
Complete and sign the Student on Unpaid Work Placements Accident Report .
The above form is to be sent within three business days to the the University Fieldwork Office.

Liability Insurance Coverage

The University maintains a policy of comprehensive, general liability insurance on behalf of students against malpractice, personal injury or property claims against the student. During fieldwork placements, students are required to follow the policies and procedures of the facility to which they have been assigned. This includes policies and procedures pertaining to safety, emergency procedures, client confidentiality, etc.