Build Site Safety
Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity strives to provide a safe environment for all volunteers and crew members. All build volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Prior to visiting a build site, we ask that each volunteer completes the following tasks:
Complete the free, online Volunteering On A Habitat for Humanity Job Site safety course.
Print, review, and sign the following waivers. Please bring completed forms the build site.
how to access the free online TRAINING COURSE:
Enter the Employee Access Code: W8NAEBTG
Click SUBMIT.
Under the list of “Recommended Courses” on the right, click Volunteering On A Habitat for Humanity Job Site to begin the course.
Build Site Safety Program
safety program overview
It is our intent to provide a safe environment for all personnel. It is our goal to never have an injury which requires medical intervention. In order for Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity to achieve our safety goals, we have established a Safety Program which outlines policies and procedures for personnel safety. It is the responsibility of every volunteer to become familiar with the program outlined below and the Work Site Safety Checklist - following all guidelines and procedures.
We will have copies of the Safety Program available on the job site for each volunteer to read before beginning work on a project. Volunteers may also read the program outlined here before reporting to the job site. We require each volunteer to sign a the Safety Program Acknowledgement waiver to acknowledge that they have read and understood the Safety Program and that it is their personal responsibility to work safety on the worksite.
No volunteer should undertake any activity that they do not feel they can do safely.
Each person at the worksite is responsible for his/her own safety and should feel empowered to point out unsafe situations or behaviors involving themselves or others to a Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity representative.
Safety Communications and Training:
Each volunteer will be made aware of the locations of equipment/tool operating manuals and first aid kits which will be available on the worksite.
Each workday at a building site begins with a safety meeting.
At a minimum, the work leader (or someone designated by him,) will describe the work activities planned for the day, with emphasis on safe work procedures and/or safety hazards associated with those activities.
These safety meetings will be documented for each volunteer with a check-off on the daily sign-in sheet.
Any volunteer who arrives after the safety meeting is responsible to contact the work leader for a review of items covered at the safety meeting.
Equipment/Tool Safety:
Any volunteer who uses either electric or power tools will be responsible for employing safety precautions before beginning operation of the tool.
Operating manuals for any power tools or equipment to be used that work day will be available on the worksite.
Safe Work Procedures on the Job Site:
When more than five volunteers are working on a jobsite, the work leader will designate at least one person (the Site Safety Observer-SSO) who will monitor work activities and advise workers on safe work procedures. The SSO will be identified throughout the work period by an orange cap or hardhat.
Volunteers are responsible for requesting guidance from the Work Leader or SSO (Site Safety Officer) on specific work procedures as needed. The SSO will audit volunteers’ use of ladders and personal protective equipment during the work period.
In no instance should any volunteer perform any work if they have any reservations regarding the safety aspects of the job, or does not have access to the safety equipment recommended herein, or the ability to follow the procedures suggested in this Safety Program.
Protective Equipment:
Volunteers are responsible for providing and using all personal protective equipment necessary to safely accomplish work activities.
Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity will make available a limited amount of safety equipment (e.g., hardhats, safety glasses) for personnel performing potentially hazardous tasks, but it is the responsibility of the worker not to perform tasks without employing the necessary safety procedures and equipment outlined in the separate Work Site Safety Checklist section.
At a minimum, we recommend volunteers us the following personal protective equipment for all tasks:
Hardhat (for tasks with overhead risks)
Safety glasses with side shields
Steel toe safety shoe
Gloves (for framing or lot clearing)