Colleagues; a question about volunteers and how we treat them


The use of volunteers is growing considerably along with their scope of work e.g. previously they did not used noisy kit that vibrated but now they are being encouraged to use such kit so we may have noise and vibration issues

My thoughts are that the more we use and especially control such volunteers and the more we gain from their activities it is easily argued the more we become the employer with the employers duties and liabilities; what are your thoughts please?

Regards all

Bob

Like walker says, treat as employees.

You haven't explained what the scenario for these 'volunteers' is, but I will assume that the organisation you are speaking of has at least one paid employee, therefore they are an 'Employer'.
As an 'Employer' they have to take due care of their employees and those that may be affected by their business etc, etc, which would include the volunteers.

HSE have a whole section of their website devoted to the voluntary sector. http://www.hse.gov.uk/voluntary/index.htm