Being an organiser/ team leader, I have regularly found myself between two camps: the officers of the Trust expressing concern regarding the risk element and the consequences should anything drastically happen to any volunteer working on behalf of the Trust and on the other, volunteers (some with vast experience in what they are doing), wondering what all the fuss is about, confident every thing is under control, wishing to be left to get on and get the work done.

Every day you switch on the TV and see the no-win-no-fee adverts, in every issue of Navvies you read new laws and regulations regarding site safely and organisation. Whether we like it or not, it is a fact of life and our backs need to be covered.

The only way is to be one step ahead and get it set in stone that all reasonable efforts are being made to eliminate accidents. Every project should have a risk assessment accessible to all personnel on site. Volunteers should sign in and be signed off-site, Protective clothing should be available: if you are unsure ask the site leader and if you are still not happy express your concerns and work must be postponed until you can be properly equipped.

Please remember the Site Leader has the job of making sure all this happens to ensure the well-being of everyone on site. I am willing to advise anyone in the Trust leading any project on what measures to take, but it is only the Site/Team Leaders present on location on the day who can implement them.

Therefore it is expected that everyone on site should co-operate to make our projects an enjoyable experience, Voluntary work is a most valued commodity and the well-being of our volunteers must be top priority.

Mick Hodgetts