Volunteer Safety Guide
At KIB, we get our hands dirty, but we always want to make volunteer safety and comfort a top priority. Below is a comprehensive safety guide meant to help inform and guide expectations at KIB-led projects. While KIB provides measures designed to keep you safe, you as a volunteer can help ensure your own comfort and safety, too. We hope this information helps to best prepare you for volunteer work with KIB. Remember, safety is best ensured by good preparation, and a safe attitude!
Weather
Heat: Together, we can beat the heat at summer projects! In the summer months, KIB always provides sunscreen, water, electrolytes, and snacks at projects. You can best prepare for volunteering on a hot day by wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, or even a wide-brim hat and sunglasses. Hydrate in advance—drink a glass of water or a sports drink before you head out the door and stay hydrated while working outside. We recommend you bring your own water bottle, but we will always provide water, too. Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion—which can include a fast pulse, dizziness, nausea, cramps, headache, and clammy skin. It’s important to pace yourself, take frequent breaks in shaded locations, and stay attuned to what your body is telling you.
Cold: KIB provides hand warmers, hot beverages, snacks, and gloves. Make sure to dress in warm layers, wear a hat and scarf, and eat snacks regularly.
Noise Level
Loud machinery: KIB uses heavy machinery for some projects, which can get loud. We provide earplugs and will set up machinery a safe distance from volunteers.
Busy road: Sometimes our projects may be along busy roads, and while KIB takes precautions to help keep volunteers highly visible and safe, it’s important to use good judgment, too. Stay alert, do not walk on the road, and step aside as soon as you see a vehicle coming towards you. If you are volunteering with children, make sure they know how to be safe around traffic before attending public projects near busy roads.
Exposure to the Elements
Sun exposure: For projects that are in direct sunlight, we encourage volunteers to drink water, use sunscreen, and replenish electrolytes frequently to help keep you hydrated and protected from the sun. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours to prevent sunburn!
Poison Ivy: Poison ivy can be found in most wooded areas in this region, particularly along riverbanks. KIB will provide Tecnu, an over-the-counter skin cleanser, at projects. If you suspect you have encountered poison ivy, using Tecnu immediately will help remove the rash-causing oils from your skin. We also recommend volunteers come prepared and take appropriate after-care measures to best prevent poison ivy rash. First, wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy boots, and tall socks to minimize your risk of contact. We will provide you with gloves—another protective measure. If you feel like you may have encountered poison ivy, use Tecnu as soon as possible to cleanse the affected area of skin. After your work is done, change out of your project clothes, shower with soap, and wash your clothes in hot water (wipe down shoes too, if necessary). For more information on how to prevent and treat a poison ivy rash, click here. Our staff members are always present to help you identify poison ivy and show you how best to avoid it.
Ticks: Although the scope of tick-borne illnesses is relatively rare in Indiana—there are still a few precautions you should take to keep yourself safe. Wear long pants, long-sleeves, a hat, and closed toed shoes while at projects in vegetated areas, especially woodland habitats. While ticks are most common in wooded areas, it’s important to note that they can be present in any type of vegetation and can remain active into the fall months. Tuck your shirt into your pants, and pants into your socks to prevent gaps in clothing where ticks could attach. Do a tick check on yourself and any loved ones when you arrive home (including pets)! Scan clothing for ticks and then scan your entire body before hopping in the shower. Throw your clothes into the washer and dryer as well. If you do find an attached tick, follow CDC guidelines for tick removal and safety procedures as seen here.
Broken glass/other sharps: Be aware of your surroundings and what you are handling: do not pick up or touch sharp objects without gloves, and do not handle sharps by yourself. Find a KIB staff member to dispose of any broken glass, needles, and other sharps you may encounter. If you want to know more about sharp safety and disposal resources in Indiana, click here.
Strenuous Exercise
Heavy lifting: Know your limits, and do not surpass them. Always lift safely, keeping your back straight and your knees bent. KIB recommends volunteers stretch before (and after!) they come to a project. Remember to use caution and be attuned to your body and what feels comfortable. There is no need to over-exert yourself!
*If you find mattresses and larger furniture items at litter cleanups, you should not handle it yourself. Let a KIB staff member know, and we will take care of it. If you still decide to handle mattresses and furniture items, and you hold the item close to your body, you run the risk of contracting bed bugs.*
Use of hand-tools: At KIB, we rely on tools to help us get our work done. Planting trees is hard without saws, pickaxes, shovels, and shears—but tool use also requires a safe attitude. Stay alert when working with and carrying tools: always hold sharp-edged and pointed tools facing downward. Be aware of where you set your tools, place them safely, and do not lose track of them. Pay attention to your tools, and how your actions affect fellow volunteers close by. If a volunteer finds themselves uncomfortable using KIB provided hand-tools, please find a KIB staff member and ask for an alternative task. We are happy to provide one for you!
*Use of herbicide: If you attend a habitat restoration project at KIB, you must wear long sleeves and pants if you wish to apply herbicide—it’s the law! Sturdy shoes are a good idea, too. We will provide safety glasses.
Long walking distances: Please wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes, and take breaks frequently. Do not over-exert yourself and eat snacks frequently.
Terrain
At KIB projects, you may encounter slopes or hills, mud, dense vegetation, and rough terrain. While terrain can vary widely project to project, there are a few best practices to always abide by when attending a KIB project. If you expect to encounter any kind of rough terrain, please wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Thick, non-slip soles are safest. Be aware of tripping hazards, and if you feel tired, take a break. Rest frequently and stay hydrated. When removing brush, always saw and lift safely, and be aware of others.