The safety of your youth members (and of leaders and parents) is critically important.
• Avoid having youth members and contractors at the same time. When there is the need for
crossover, you should have appropriate and direct supervision of youth members by a Leader.
• Also note the comments below about barriers.
• Youth members can be present at working bees with parents and leaders. Any parents should meet the necessary requirements as an Adult Member, Group Rostered Parent or Group Committee member if there are limited leaders attending. However, you should have appropriate supervision with structured tasks or activities. The opportunity for free time during working bees presents a significant risk.
• Youth members should not be using power tools unless properly trained and supervised
• Consider allocating a Child Safeguarding Officer to events such as working bees to ensure all risks associated with the event are considered and mitigated
• Always ensure compliance with the Scouts Victoria Child Safeguarding and Inappropriate Adult Behaviour policies
• For further advice, call the Scouts Victoria Child Safe phone line on 1800 870 772
Some other important safety things:
• Mains powered portable tools with current “test and tag” tags
• Power supply to mains powered tools is through Residual Current Devices (RCDs), either because your switchboard is fitted with them, or the tools have RCD plugs on their own leads
• Check wall cavities for pipes and cables before cutting or drilling
• Ladders and scaffold erected on a stable base and properly tied off before use
• Suitable barriers, for example high visibility tape, to stop persons walking into scaffold or ladders, or
falling into holes or entering areas where work is in
progress or unfinished
• Power leads placed to minimise trip hazards (run along walls and taped down if on/near pathways) and the risk of being accidentally cut
• Signs warning of potential hazards
b. Management of volunteer labour from within Group
· Many Groups have qualified tradespersons amongst their Leaders, Office Bearers and parents, and there will likely also be hobbyists, i.e., persons without formal qualifications but with practical skills developed through experience. It makes perfect sense to use these people to work on your hall, partly for convenience and partly for the cost saving.
Just ensure that they are treated in the same way as external contractors, particularly in matters of safety, required licenses and ability/willingness to complete the job in the required time.