ChurchSafety

See also: Assessment: Are Our Volunteer Workers Safe?  

Many churches rely heavily on volunteer labor for remodeling or construction projects. But such hazardous work as building repair or remodeling, new construction, and roof replacement can pose dangers for your volunteers and your ministry.

Before volunteer work begins, take steps to reduce the risk of injury:

• Make sure the project is conducive to volunteer labor. Large or complex construction or demolition jobs are best left to professionals.
  
  
• Keep in mind that working on roofs, ladders, or scaffolding is inherently dangerous. Be sure to instruct volunteers on safe work procedures and the safe use of all equipment.
  
  
• Designate a project leader who understands the importance of safety and who will be alert to unsafe behavior that could result in injury.
  
  
• Enlist only volunteers who are skilled and physically capable of undertaking the work assignment required of them.
  
  

Volunteers aren't covered under workers' compensation statutes. So if a volunteer were injured while working for your church, medical coverage would be available only under your church's general liability "premises medical payments" policy.

This coverage consists of $500 in primary coverage. The balance is available on an excess basis (typically $5,000). It applies after the volunteer's medical insurer has made payment.

Unless the volunteer's injury arose out of negligence on the part of your ministry (the ministry did something wrong that caused the injury), no further payment will be available under your policy.

Because your premises medical payments insurance is limited, you should ask potential volunteers about the medical coverage they carry. If a volunteer has no independent medical insurance available, it may be in the best interest of the church and the person for him or her to forego volunteer work for any activity in which injuries are common.

If your church undertakes a large project, consult your attorney to make sure all potential liability exposures have been addressed. You may wish to consider having volunteers and independent contractors sign a "hold harmless" agreement to protect the church against liability claims arising out of the project.

This article originally appeared on BrotherhoodMutual.com.

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See Related Assessment:

Are Our Volunteer Workers Safe?

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