Your Safety is our Primary focus at Habitat Detroit

It's always safety first for all our volunteers. Here are a few health and personal safety issues to keep in mind:

• Please work safely at all times.

• Keep the work site clean and be aware of those around you.

• First aid supplies will be available on site and our staff members are all certified in first aid and CPR.

• EMS will be called for any serious injuries.

• PLEASE LEAVE PERSONAL VALUABLES AT HOME. THERE WILL NO PLACE TO SECURE WALLETS, PURSES, ETC. OTHER THAN ON YOUR PERSON. DO NOT LEAVE PERSONAL VALUABLE ITEMS IN CLEAR VIEW IN YOUR CARS.

• Go in pairs when you go to lunch, take a restroom break or go to your vehicle.

• Please notify your group leader if you are leaving the work site.

• DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY YOURSELF!

Food & drink:

• Eat a good breakfast before you arrive at the site.

• Lunch should not be heavy or greasy because of the heat, as it could cause sickness.

• Bring plenty of drinking water. We will try to have some available throughout the day, but just in case we can't provide any, make sure you have some of your own.

Taking care of yourself during construction:

• On hot days, work at a slower pace and take occasional breaks.

• Wear adequate SPF sunscreen. Reapply as required.

• Expect to perspire a lot. This is your body's method of temperature control.

• If you feel dizzy, get a headache, or stop perspiring, stop work at once

• Inform the house leader, get into the shade, and slowly drink a lot of water.

Safety Tips:

• Think about executing your task at hand.

• If you are uncertain about how to do a task or how to operate a power tool, don't! - ask a supervisor for help.

• Concentrate on your task and disregard distractions.

• Know where the first-aid kit is located and how to get emergency help.

• Inspect all power tools, hand tools, ladders and scaffolding before using them to ensure they are in safe operating condition.

• Advise your supervisor immediately of any unsafe or hazardous tool or condition.

Proper Attire:

Proper clothing and work accessories are as essential to safety as the proper selection and use of tools.

• Wear clothes and gloves that are appropriate for the work and weather conditions.

• Loose clothing is dangerous around power tools.

• Wear work boots or thick-soled shoes at all times when on a construction site.

• Sandals or other types of inappropriate footwear are not permitted.

• Hard hats are to be worn while doing demolition work, during the framing phase of construction, or when required by a supervisor.

Ladders:

• Inspect a ladder before you use it.

• If the ladder is unsafe, don't use it.

• Look for wear and tear, loose rungs and defects.

• Use a ladder that will reach the work.

• An extension ladder should reach 3 feet above the work level.

• Move your ladder with your work.

• If both of your shoulders are extended outside the ladder while you are working, you are reaching too far.

• When using an extension ladder, use the "4-to-1" rule: for every 4 feet of height, move the bottom of the ladder 1 foot away from the wall.

• A ladder is pitched at the proper, safe angle if you can grasp a rung at shoulder height. Place your ladder on solid footing.

• If there is a danger of the ladder moving while you work, tie it down.

• If there is a danger that the ladder will be hit, barricade it.

• If the feet of the ladder are not level, dig the ground out under one foot with the claw of a hammer rather than raise one foot with blocks.

• Never use an aluminum ladder in the vicinity of electrical lines and never use a ladder outdoors during inclement weather or on very windy days.

• Carry tools and materials in proper carrying devices and keep your hands free for climbing.

• When climbing, always face the ladder.