Safety Guidelines for Volunteers

Holbrook Helpers

Safety Guidance for Volunteers - Reviewed 11.10.21

General Guidance:

• Advise the coordinator if you feel physically or emotionally uncomfortable doing the job.
• Leave the job if you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or unwell and inform the coordinator.
• Take a mobile phone with you
• Always request that the client makes future requests through the coordinator
•  Don’t give your personal phone number or address to client
•  Do not accept inappropriate behaviour (comments or physical contact) and report any incidents to the coordinator
•  Consider manual handling. If a client has a fall while you are there and is unable to get up by himself/ herself, do not attempt to lift or move them. Make the client as comfortable as possible and call 999. Paramedics are trained to check for injuries and to lift people correctly.
• Do not take or use a client’s debit or credit card; do not let them disclose their payment card details to you. Please see Money Handling guidance below should cash be the only option of shopping payment.

 If Working Outdoors:

• Only operate equipment that is fit for purpose and you are familiar using
• Wear appropriate PPE, i.e., goggles, ear protection, respiratory protection, boots, hard hat, gloves etc...

 If You Have an Accident During the Course of Volunteering:

• Inform the coordinator
• If necessary, visit a doctor. They will provide an independent record
•  Providing the injury was not caused through your own negligence you may be able to make a claim through the scheme’s insurance policy
• If the accident is serious and you are not happy with the response from the scheme you can contact the Health and Safety Executive.

 COVID 19 Specific Guidance:

• Follow UK Government guidance on safety whilst volunteering. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely--2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely#how-to-stay-safe-when-accepting-help-from-others
•  Maintain a 2-metre social distance
•  Wash or sanitise hands before and after the job
•  Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze
•  Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
•  Follow government guidance on when and where a face covering should be used. If unsure, use a face covering.

  Do not leave your home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Do not leave your home if you have either:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
•  a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.