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2014

Blitz Build Volunteer Handbook

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When & Where:

8.00am At St Gerards School Hall, park along McCalman near the site.

Site located between Nairn Avenue and McCalman Avenue, park on the street.

What to wear/bring:

o Comfortable work clothing (long pants, layers if necessary)

o Your own or borrow from us CSA approved safety boots (carry a green triangle badge)

o Hard hats are provided and must be worn on site, if you have your own it must be CSA approved

o Hammer, utility knife, tape measure, pencil, tool belt (if possible)

o Refillable water bottle – we want to look after our ‘Habitat’

Weather

Please show up for your build day – whatever the weather.

If the weather is bad our construction leaders will decide if it needs to be shut down.

Safety

Follow all safety directions as given at the morning safety & orientation meeting, always wear the

appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

If you have not completed the 2014 online safety training please do so at this link:

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NjEwMzUy

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Daily Schedule 8:00 am Meet and sign in at St Gerards School Hall. Breakfast and orientation will follow.

9.00 am Work begins.

10:30 am Morning break on site – coffee & water and snacks are supplied.

12:00 pm Lunch will be provided!!

2:30 pm Afternoon break on site – coffee & water are supplied,

4:00 pm Clean-up

4:30 pm End of work day

How does Habitat for Humanity work?

Through volunteer labour, efficient management and tax-deductible donations of money and materials,

Habitat for Humanity builds safe, decent and affordable houses with the help of the homeowner

(partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with

affordable, no-interest mortgages. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving

fund, which is used to build more homes.

Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out. In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner

invests hundreds of hours of their own labour, called "sweat equity”, into the building of their home and

the homes of others.

Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement

By mobilizing volunteers and community partners, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba works with people

from all walks of life to build safe, decent, affordable housing for low-income working families.

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Safety

The most important goal for Habitat for Humanity is that everybody goes home at the end of the day

safe and sound (and hopefully with a sense of accomplishment and pride!).

To facilitate this everyone who attends a Habitat for Humanity build site is required to complete

our online safety training course each calendar year :

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NjEwMzUy

CSA approved Safety boots and hard hats must be worn and are available for loan on site (free of

charge).

If you have your own safety boots and/or hard hat please make sure that:

Boots carry the CSA green triangle badge – this denotes a safety toe cap & armored sole plate are part

of the boot

Hard Hats – Must be CSA approved and under 5 years old to be considered safe, (U.V. light and general

wear and tear can compromise its integrity.)

The year of manufacture for hard hats is embossed upon it (underneath the brim).

Medical Care

All Habitat Construction and Volunteer Services staff are trained in First Aid, and there will be a

Manitoba Health and Safety First Aid kit on site at all times.

Messages/Emergencies

If there is a message or emergency and you need to be contacted at the work site the number to call is

233-5160 extension 0 - a staff member will endeavor to contact you. Please give this number out for

emergency calls only!

Valuables

Habitat cannot accept responsibility for lost or stolen articles. We recommend you do not bring items

with high monetary or sentimental value. Tools being brought to the worksite should be clearly marked

with your name.

NOTE: Please ensure that wherever you park, you lock your vehicle and keep all valuables, including

tools, out of sight.

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SAFETY INFORMATION (please read carefully)

Introduction

Safety is everybody’s responsibility and is always an important consideration on any construction site.

Building construction can be one of the most dangerous occupations. Since Habitat work crews normally

have a high proportion of inexperienced people volunteering, everyone must pay particular attention to

safety. Always think of the safety of others as well as yourself. An observer can often see danger better

than the worker involved in the project. Be cautious at all times and ask questions. Do not go ahead

with a task if you are uncertain as to how it is done, or if you are unable to do it.

Safety is based on knowledge, skill, and an attitude of care and concern. The Site Supervisor, House

Leaders and/or Crew Leaders will instruct each worker about the correct and proper procedures for

performing each task. They will familiarize volunteers with the potential hazards of tasks, and how such

hazards can be minimized or eliminated. It is very important that we follow safe work practices. We

want you to have an enjoyable and safe experience that you may want to repeat! – Hopefully when you

are working on projects at home you will also apply what you have learned and be safe there too!

Guidelines for a Safe Build

• Think before you do your work or task.

• Never operate a power tool without proper authorization and training on its use – ask the Site

Supervisor or your House Leader for the appropriate training.

• Concentrate on your task and eliminate distractions.

• Know where the first aid kit is located and how to get emergency help.

• Inspect all power tools, hand tools, ladders, and scaffolding on a daily basis.

• Advise your House leader immediately of any unsafe conditions or hazards.

• Don’t take on any tasks you are uncomfortable with.

Proper Safety Equipment

• Green triangle badged CSA approved steel toed boots or shoes must be worn at all times.

• Hard hats must be worn at all times.

• Long pants are strongly recommended

• Each worker must wear a dust mask when installing insulation, sanding, or when instructed by a

supervisor.

• Earplugs must be worn when using or in the proximity of a power tool for prolonged periods of

time or when instructed by a supervisor.

• Safety glasses must be worn whenever eye hazards are present, or requested by a supervisor.

Proper clothing is as essential to safety as the proper selection and use of tools. Wear clothes and

gloves that are appropriate for the work and weather conditions. Loose clothing and long hair are

dangerous around construction sites and power tools, so tuck in shirts and tie back long hair.

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Power Tools and other Electrical Equipment

A power tool must never be used without proper instruction on its use. The instruction must be

presented by a qualified person and will be given to all workers, even experienced do-it-yourselfers.

The trainee should use the power tool in the presence of the instructor, until the instructor is

satisfied that the trainee knows how to use the power tool properly. If you are comfortable using

power tools, please let the Site Supervisor or your House leader know.

Never lower or carry a power tool by its cord. Power tools must be checked for defective switches,

cords, plugs, and proper grounding each day. Defective tools are not to be used and must be

reported to the House Leader or Crew Leader, tagged, and removed to the tool room for repair

immediately. (Never wait until the end of the day.) Clean tools daily.

In order to avoid electrical shock, the following rules must be obeyed:

• A three-pronged plug must be used on all electric power tools.

• Extension cords must not have frayed insulation or be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or

suspended from wires.

• All temporary lights must be equipped with non-conductive guards.

Safe operation of powered Saws

• Avoid binding the blade of any saw: When cutting long panels, the blade may bind, causing the

saw to catch and kick back toward the operator causing serious injury. Use small wooden

wedges or shims to spread the saw cut as you go along.

• Ensure the blade guard is working properly and never tie the guard back out of the way. A

spring-actuated blade guard can often become bent and won’t slide quickly, also the spring can

become stretched making the return slow. As soon as any damage is noticed remove the saw to

the tool room and report the offending item to the supervisor. The supervisor will make

arrangements for the repair of any damage – do not try to fix it yourself!

• Support what you are working on properly. Never attempt to cut something that could tilt or

fall and cause the saw to slip.

Hand Tools

Always select the correct type and size of tool for your work, be sure it is sharp and properly

adjusted. Don’t use a tool if the handle is loose or in poor condition. Dull tools are hazardous to

use. Oil or dirt on a tool may cause an injury. When in use hold tools correctly. Most sharp edged

tools should be held in both hands with the cutting action away from yourself. Avoid using your

hand or fingers as a guide to start a cut, but if it is necessary, use extreme caution.

• Handle and carry tools with care.

• Keep sharp edged and pointed tools turned downward.

• Carry only a few tools at one time unless they are mounted in a special holder or carried in a

tool belt.

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• Anyone working with a hammer at a height should wear a hammer loop or tool belt, keep

the hammer in the loop when not in use.

• Never carry sharp tools in your pockets.

• When not in use, tools should be kept in special boxes, chests, or cabinets.

• When working with hand tools at heights, remember people are likely below you.

Ladders

Inspect a ladder before you use it, if it appears unsafe, don’t use it and report it to the supervisor.

Look for wear and tear, loose rungs, and defects.

Use a ladder that will reach the work. An extension ladder should reach three feet above the work

level.

Move your ladder – not your body to reach your work safely, avoid working with both of your

shoulders past one side of the ladder.

Use the four to one rule when using an extension ladder - for every four feet of height, move the

bottom of the ladder one foot away from the wall.

Place your ladder on solid footing. If there is a danger of the ladder moving while you work, tie it

down. If there is a danger that the ladder will be hit, barricade it.

Never use an aluminum ladder in the vicinity of electrical line - and never use a ladder outdoors

during inclement weather or on windy days.

Carry tools and materials in proper carrying devices- always keep your hands free for climbing.

When climbing, always face the ladder.

Scaffolding

• Ensure that the base of the scaffolding is solidly shored and leveled.

• All scaffolds should be equipped with a toe-board to eliminate the possibility that tools or

debris will be kicked or pushed on people below.

• A scaffold must be designed to support four times the weight of the workers and the

materials resting on it.

• Scaffolding components that are not designed to be compatible should not be mixed.

• Inspect all scaffolding each day before using it. Never use damaged or defective equipment,

and avoid rusted parts, as their strength is unknown.

• When erecting scaffolding, provide adequate sills for the scaffold posts, and use base plates.

• Use adjusting screws, and not blocks, when on an uneven grade. Make sure you plumb and

level scaffolding,

• Never force end braces when constructing the scaffolding.

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Many scaffolding accidents are caused by defective planking. Use only properly graded and

inspected lumber for planking. Inspect planking daily for splits and knots, and remove defective or

damaged planking.

Clean Work Site

A clean work place is a safe work place. This refers to the neatness and good order of the

construction site. Maintaining good housekeeping contributes to the efficiency of the worker and is

important in preventing accidents.

• Position building materials and supplies in carefully laid out piles to allow adequate aisles

and walkways.

• Clean up all rubbish and scrap materials on a daily basis.

• Do not permit blocks of wood, nails, bolts, empty cans, pipe, wire, or other materials to

accumulate on the work site, they interfere with work, and constitute an unnecessary

hazard.

• When working with boards with nails in them, remove all nails before discarding on the

ground. Useable nails should be picked up!

• Keep tools and equipment which are not being used in chests, panels, or tool boxes. This

protects the tools and the workers.

• Never leave a work site unguarded unless all tools and materials have been properly

secured.

House Leaders will allow a ½ hour at the end of each day for cleaning and putting tools away. This will

allow for a clean start to the next day. A clean site is a safe site.

Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement

By mobilizing volunteers and community partners, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba works with people

from all walks of life to build safe, decent, affordable housing for low-income working families.