HP440 Assignment 2
20% of module mark
Assignment Brief:
You are the EHS Manager in a construction company with 500 employees across three different sites. As a result of a reportable accident on site, where alcohol consumption was identified as a key cause, the company management team have asked you to provide a report on workplace alcohol and drug testing. The management team are divided in their opinions with half in favour of introducing intoxicant testing, with a view to implementing best practice in the construction sector. The other half are concerned that it will not be well received by workers and may be considered an invasion of privacy. However, both sides agree that a proposed programme must be fit for purpose and contribute positively to performance metrics and employee wellbeing. Therefore, you have been asked to prepare a report that concentrates on two related elements:
1. Provide a concise but comprehensive discussion of the relevant statutory requirements, the extent of intoxicant related impairment nationally and its implications for the workplace, and the benefits and drawbacks associated with intoxicant testing including ethical concerns. Provide an evidence informed recommendation to the company on the most suitable form of intoxicant testing and any other associated measures that should be taken in conjunction with the testing, in your opinion, if any.
2. You are also required to provide a comprehensive overview on how training should be delivered to all workers on the proposed intoxicant testing programme. The training plan should include:
a. Target audience considerations
b. Specific objectives for the training session
c. Training delivery
d. Proposed training content – outline and timeframe
e. Training evaluation
The training plan should be sufficiently detailed to allow its distribution to the three site EHS officers for content development and training delivery in advance of the implementation of intoxicant testing.
Submission Deadline:
Monday, 28th
March, 5pm, electronic copy submitted to Turnitin, via Blackboard.
Late submissions:
A penalty of 1% per day will apply to late submissions, unless an extension has been granted.
Word Count:
The assignment should be within 15% of 2,500 words, excluding the reference list and cover page. Ensure that sufficient attention is given to each of the two elements, considering the word count limit.
Report Guidelines
Presentation
· When submitting your report, ensure that you use the cover sheet which is available in the ‘Assignment 2’ folder.
· Use a clear 12-point font (e.g. Tahoma, Times New Roman, Courier, Verdana, Calibri).
· One and a half or double spacing must be employed throughout the text.
· When there is a word limit, do not waffle. Every word should add value.
- The report should be written to a good standard of literacy, including spelling and grammar. Spell check and proof-read before submission.
- Throughout text abbreviations (unless initially explained) should be avoided.
· List at least 10 references you have consulted.
· Photographs, graphs and diagrams may be used in the main body of the report. They should be titled and source(s) acknowledged.
Sources of Information
To get you started on the topic of training, the following guidance document is available in the Assignment 2 folder.
Effective Adult Learning: A toolkit for teaching adults (2012)
Other sources include the university library and electronic resources.
Referencing
· All material used in the construction of the essay must be referenced. Both in-text citation and associated reference list detailing all sources of information must be provided. The reference list should be provided at the end of the essay. Referencing must follow a known referencing system such as Harvard, APA or British Standard. (Guidance on referencing is available in the ‘Essay’ folder on Blackboard).
· Copying sections of text from books, journal articles, reports, the internet etc. is not permitted. The NUIG Plagiarism COP applies.
Content
· Research the subject well before writing. Your report should be supported with evidence from a wide range of sources which might include textbooks, legislation, guidance, and academic journals. If necessary, consult relevant internet sites.
· Before you start writing, work out a plan for the report – what will you cover, and how will you structure it to support the flow of meaning and logic, and to achieve an overall synthesis and coherence in your report.
· The Introduction is important. This is where you make your first impression on the reader. It sets the scene for what is to follow.
· Each subsequent paragraph should then deal with one of the issues you wish to address. A paragraph should be used to develop an idea or argument. One theme, one paragraph.
· There should be continuity and flow through the body of the report to hold the reader’s attention.
· Think critically about the material you are citing. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the theory and research?
· Having addressed the issues or argument, summarize them in your conclusion. While it is important to sum up what has already been said, it is critical that you do not simply repeat what you have already stated earlier. A good concluding statement can tie together all the main themes of the report in a slightly novel or original way and state where current thinking stands. This is your last opportunity to impress the reader / examiner. ‘Go out with a bang rather than a whimper!’