School of Social Work

WSIB/Private Insurance Coverage

Effective July 1, 1993, all students in unpaid placements who are placed in organizations/agencies registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) are covered by the Workers’ Compensation Act. 

Private insurance coverage through ACE INA Insurance is provided for students in unpaid placements with organizations/agencies not participating in Workers’ Compensation. 

This means that in the event of a placement related injury or illness, students are eligible for benefits from WSIB or equivalent benefits through the private insurance carrier.  Some of these benefits might include: health care costs, rehabilitation costs, and in some cases, compensation for lost or future lost earnings. 

The total cost of the WSIB/private insurance coverage is paid by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.  Student injury or illness will not affect the WSIB assessment rating of organizations/agencies or the University.

• Work/Education Placement Agreement
• Procedure to follow in the event of a placement related injury or illness
• Support

Work/Education Placement Agreement

To ensure WSIB/private insurance coverage, a Work/Education Placement Agreement (WEPA) must be completed and signed by all parties (the student, the organization/agency, and Ryerson University) before the first day of placement.  

Students are required to contact the Field Education Office's Program Assistant before the first day of placement to obtain a Work/Education Placement Agreement and instructions.

Procedure to follow in the event of a placement related injury or illness

Student's responsibilities:

1. The student reports the incident to her/his Field Instructor.
   
2. The student seeks appropriate first aid or medical attention.
   
3. The student reports the incident to her/his Faculty Consultant at Ryerson. 
   

Field Instructor's responsibilities:

1. The Field Instructor ensures that the student receives appropriate medical attention.
   
2. The Field Instructor completes the appropriate forms (see below) if the incident resulted in an injury that requires health care by a medical practitioner for which there is a fee for service (i.e., physician, chiropractor, dentist, hospital, etc), lost time for work beyond the date of the incident, or exposure to communicable disease. 
   
   
   1. If the placement setting IS registered with WSIB, the Field Instructor completes the following forms: 
      
      WSIB Employers' Report of Accidental Injury / Disease (Form 7)*
      
      *e-Form 7 is not an option for submission. The Job Title in section A is Social Work Student.  The Employer Information in section B is Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, 900 Bay Street, 8th Floor, Mowat Block, Toronto, ON  M7A 1L2, Firm Number 825010. 
      
      Letter of Authorization to Represent the Workplace Employee
      
      Once completed, the Field Instructor forwards the forms to the assigned Faculty Consultant within 3 days of the incident.
      
      
   2. If the placement setting IS NOT registered with WSIB, the Field Instructor completes the following form: 
      
      ACE INA Accident Report - Statement of Work Placement Employer and Training Agency 
      
      Once completed, the Field Instructor forwards the form to the assigned Faculty Consultant as soon as possible. 
      
      If the claim must be submitted for medical, dental, vision care or weekly disability benefits, the Faculty Consultant will assist the student with the completion of the ACE INA Personal Information Authorization and Benefits form. 
      
      For other types of claims (i.e., accidental death, loss or loss of use of limbs, sight, paralysis, etc), contact the assigned Faculty Consultant for the appropriate claim forms.
      

Faculty Consultant's responsibilities:

1. If the incident reported requires first aid only, the Faculty Consultant records the details in a first aid log book in the event that a report is required in the future.
   
2. If the incident resulted in an injury that requires health care by a medical practitioner for which there is a fee for service (e.g., physician, chiropractor, dentist, hospital, etc), lost time for work beyond the incident, or exposure to communicable disease, the Faculty Consultant reviews the appropriate forms completed and submitted by the Field Instructor.
   
3. The Faculty Consultant faxes the appropriate forms to WSIB or ACE INA and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities within the required timelines.
   
4. The Faculty Consultant arranges for the student to return to the placement with the appropriate accommodations if required.

Support

Inquiries about the Work/Education Placement Agreement and WSIB/private insurance coverage can be directed to the Field Education Office's Program Assistant.