I have just joined a local charity that is keen to make use of my health and safety/environmental skills. The charity carries out practical work in helping to preserve amenities along a stretch of riverbank including preservation of the navigable river itself. What do I need to consider in respect to offering advice in my capacity as a member with specialist skills and knowledge? Any advice or similar experience? Please share.

Thanks, Linda

My viewpoint is that although you are volunteering as well as other they are still owed the same duty of care as if it was a normal business so you still need to have the mindset that everyone one volunteering is working for a company although unpaid. You may well need to look at professional indemnity insurance or find out if the charity will cover you under their insurance.

if an accident does happen and you where seen to give professional advice concerning the H&S side then you could end up in court so you need to make sure you have legal backing.

Phil

ideally most volunteering schemes should not present high risk to those taking part other than sore muscles in the morning. If you start getting into high risk (plant equipment hire) then this is when the charity should pay for competent contractors or look at those with the training and skills from there volunteer group.


Phil

The lawyers at that time were wrong and personal liability does exist so being part of a committee today is not as 'bullet proof' as it was; but thats lawyers for U as its not they who will be in the dock!

All that said its a good thing to do

This is prompting some good discussion.

I've worked for a National Charity that has hundreds of volunteers. They are treated exactly the same as paid staff, with the provision of information, instruction, training and supervision. They have a line management structure and need to follow the company line. This all sounds very harsh, but it is all in the way it is managed.

Also as a Scout Leader, I've undertaken many a risk assessment from day to day activities to a District Camp with 900 plus young people and adults also Fire Risk Assessments of the HQ. Just need to work within the policies and rules for the organisation - simples!

However - I also undertake one day first aid training for Adult Scouters, Guiders and anyone else in the voluntary sector I can help out (I do not charge for this work), I do this under an umbrella training provider and for this I have personal liability insurance. It is not too expensive and I see it as helping put something back into the community.

It sounds very simple but my examples above have links with National 'formal' charities and all that goes with them such as policies, procedures and insurance. I know many Safety colleagues who to voluntary 'safety' work from Local fairs and carnivals, Christmas lights in the high street to work in Convents even.

I think the important part for Linda, is to not take on too much, take the stance of guiding those with the responsibility through the assessment process. Assist them with writing their own policies and procedures, don't be too risk adverse, don't be an old fashioned floors, walls and ceilings Safety Officer and most of all, enjoy what you are doing to help your community to achieve what it wants to achieve as safely as they can and within the limitations of your experiance and knowledge.

Oldroyd

Is this the type of thing you were after?

http://www.shponline.co....ca-volunteer-broke-rules

Brian

HI Guys,

Great thread again, under civil law you can be held separately liable for your advice should an accident occur and there can be a direct link. I have been involved with the Princes Trust and one major point of clarification was insurance. I am happy to provide my Professional Indemnity Insurance and PL for my benefit. My advice would be to keep in mind you are the Professional and it is your advice that is being sought - so make sure you get the PI & PL in place.