Risk Management
Police Checks
Each student must have a current police record check within the 12 months prior to the
commencement of the RHM. In addition, international students will require a current
police clearance from their home authorities.
Working with Children Checks
All students must have a current Working with Children Check and carry it with them at
all times on their placement. The University expects all medical students to have one of
these and many placements request them specifically.
Immunisation Record
Students attending placements in small towns will require proof of current immunization
status for their small town placement. This will be sent to each student before the
module begins, via email from Dr. Mark Veitch, Public Health Physician, Microbiological
Diagnostic Unit - Public Health Laboratory Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Failure to produce the original current police record check, Working with Children
Check and immunisation status while on placement will terminate the opportunity for
the small town experience.
Sexual Harassment
Given the diverse range of agencies, workplaces and institutions visited during the
RHM, students are reminded that the university has a sexual harassment policy. Further
information may be found at http://www.hr.unimelb.edu.au/e/. Please notify staff
immediately of any concerns.
Road Safety
There will be a session on driving on country roads during the Introduction . Driving may
be hazardous, especially under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if speeding, fatigued,
using a mobile phone or travelling with a large group of people.
In rural areas there may be additional hazards. It can be difficult to judge distances as the
landmarks in the country are different from those in the city.
Foggy conditions can be expected from May until September in the evenings and
mornings. Driving in foggy conditions is quite risky and trips should be planned to avoid
these times where possible.
Roads in the country are often narrow and have gravel verges. It is easy to lose control
in the gravel at the side of the roads. The best way to avoid this is to slow down on
narrow roads and be especially careful when passing other vehicles. Brakes should never
be applied when you have one wheel on the bitumen and one wheel on gravel as the
tyre will grip on the road and not on the stones, swinging the car round in front of any
oncoming traffic. Brake should be applied before putting one wheel on the gravel and
speed resumed once all four wheels are back on the bitumen.
Warning signs will usually be placed along the road to warn motorists that stock (farm
animals) are on the road. A ‘STOP’ sign or a ‘GIVE WAY TO STOCK’ sign will be displayed
when stock are at a stock crossing. Drivers must stop prior to the crossing and not
proceed until all stock has completed their crossing. This warning sign will be displayed
approximately 300 m from where the stock will be on the road. Drivers must slow down
to a speed that will enable them to avoid hitting an animal. The horn should not be
sounded as this may frighten the animals. The driver should watch for advice from the
person in control of the stock and also look out for working dogs, as they will be watching
the stock and not the car.