Volunteer Safety
FOCUS ON SAFETY & EDUCATION
COVID SAFETY MEASURES:
For health & safety reasons, we’re requiring self-attestation of full vaccination + masking onsite [indoors and out] regardless of vaccination status. We’ve developed this policy because: our organization works with vulnerable populations; we value the health and safety of our participants & supporters and that of the wider community; and, we operate with only has one 3/4-time employee + an Independent Contractor who works with us part-time to supervise our jobsite [we don’t have a deep bench if someone is out.]
We’ve also been authorized to share AN IMPORTANT, SPECIAL REMINDER with volunteers and homeowners so that they can assess their own risks in deciding whether or not to come out to the site. [We will accommodate homeowner concerns when it comes to sweat equity completion alternatives, realizing that we’re in challenging times.]:
We believe that our PT Construction Manager, David, is one of the more self-aware and compliant people around because he has special first-hand knowledge of the issues surrounding the COVID virus. [Shared with David’s permission:] His wife works in pulmonary care at an area hospital and his daughter [not a household member] works in infectious disease control. While this makes him more cautious than many, it also does mean that he potentially has some higher exposure risk factors due to his wife’s work in the healthcare field. […This is true no matter how good the precautions are which are taken at our area hospitals — whom we salute for their care of the community! Thank you!!!]
It seemed important to put this in writing so that you can consider how David’s daily risk factors might impact your decision to come out to participate in site activities. Please remember that all such participation is voluntary but is also “at your own risk” as the below site signage indicates.
Within the bounds of confidentiality, we’d be happy to discuss any concerns with you.
Separate waivers are required for minors who wish to volunteer, including parental/guardian permissions.
While no specific skills are required, just a willingness to learn, it’s sometimes helpful to know who we might call upon for specific tasks, to assist with supervising and/or teaching larger groups, or for hospitality. Hancock Co. Habitat provides a crew leader who will provide on-the-job training. We welcome skilled volunteers and want to encourage those in the building trades to join us on site, but the majority of our volunteers who join us have few construction skills. Volunteers often remain with their local Habitat affiliate on a long-term basis and volunteer regularly in order to build skills. We will train you in all aspects of construction with the hope that you will continue to volunteer, and even perhaps share your skills with unskilled volunteers in the future. Thank you for your service!
HFHI SAFETY TRAINING: Staff at every Habitat affiliate take part in safety training and continuing education work. The Competent Person Safety Training [CPST] initiative was developed by Habitat International in late 2013 and is lead by specially trained Habitat RV Care-A-Vanners–providing in-depth safety training for individuals designated as the affiliate’s “Competent Person” as defined by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). With the advent of COVID, training has moved virtual–covering the topics of stairways, ladders, scaffolds, electrical, trenching/excavation, and fall protection.