Construction Safety Standards

Welcome to Youth Spirit Artworks! We are committed to your safety during this build. This document
contains the construction practices we expect each volunteer to follow to keep our site safe.
Please read and understand the rules before you begin work.

1) Clothing: Closed-toe shoes are required on site. In order to participate on a house build, your
shoes must by sturdy and fit for building (think construction boots or hiking shoes).
We also recommend wearing long pants and a shirt that you aren't afraid to get dirty!
2) PPE: PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. Volunteers are required to wear a
hard hat for all activities in the house build area (optional in the painting area). Safety
glasses are required for cutting and nailing. Sturdy gloves are required for lifting and
handling metal. If you are ever unsure if PPE is needed for a task, please ask your
build leader (orange shirt) before starting.
3) Ladders: Ladder work is always a two person job. If you are going above the second rung,
another volunteer must hold your ladder to prevent tipping. Before starting, make
sure your ladder is standing on stable ground that is clear of small debris. Position
the ladder so you can easily reach the work space, and avoid leaning on the house
for extra support as you work.
4) Cutting: Power saws should only be used by volunteers with prior experience. If you need to
cut something but don't feel comfortable doing so, please mark where the cut is to be
made and ask your build leader for help. Safety glasses are required while cutting,
and wearing a glove on your non-cutting hand is strongly recommended. For long
pieces, have another volunteer help you support the wood while cutting.
5) Nailing: Before starting, check your swing radius to make sure you won't hit anyone. Safety
glasses are required while nailing. Do not leave exposed nails on the job site.
6) Lifting: For anything longer than 6-ft, lifting is a two person job. Before starting, trace out the
steps of your lift and make sure the path is clear. When in doubt, make multiple trips
instead of carrying a heavy load. Lift with your legs, not with your back.
7) Insulation: Volunteers must wear a respirator, gloves, and long sleeves (pants & shirt) while
installing insulation.
8) Painting: We recommend wearing latex gloves while painting. Make sure you are wearing
clothes/shoes that can get dirty, and always avoid dripping. When you finish, wash
your paintbrush and wrap your roller in plastic. Do NOT leave paint sitting in the sun!

The 10-10-10 Rule: Every 10 minutes, take 10 seconds to check 10 feet around you for safety risks.