Youth are encouraged to get involved with Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna!
Youth Volunteer Procedures and Policies
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna has specific policies regarding the appropriate involvement of minors in its housing ministry. While it is important that youth be directly involved with the work of Habitat for Humanity, it is also important that they be involved only in age appropriate activities. Therefore, the restrictions below are in effect and must be adhered to when minors (those less than 18 years of age) are on the construction site:
- Youth under the age of 18 shall not perform hazardous activities or use power tools (exception – portable electric drills during drywall installation), operate motor vehicles or assist with demolition, roofing, wiring, excavation operations, etc.
- Youth ages 16 and 17 may perform general construction work but may not engage in activities considered hazardous.
- Youth must be at least 16 to participate in “blitz build” related activities.
- Youth under the age of 16 shall not be allowed in a construction area during active construction– i.e. framing, roofing, siding, drywall, excavation, concrete. Exception is made for serving food during breaks and lunches.
- Youth ages 14 and 15 are prohibited from working in general construction. However, they may engage in limited activities such as clearing lots, landscaping, house cleaning or painting only when there is no active construction at the site. They may do tool check out/check in when not in the immediate area of construction. In addition, there should always be adequate supervision and safety training for youth working at the site. A ratio of one adult to every three or four teenagers is mandatory.
Policy Exception
Youth who are in apprenticeship or vocational programs may be allowed to perform some of the normally prohibited activities (for example, carpentry students might be allowed to use power saws etc.) if they are supervised by their teacher or a qualified instructor.
AGE 14
LIMITED TO:
- Build mailboxes or flower boxes for a Habitat house
- Make items such as blankets for the partner family
- Prepare food for volunteers
- Fundraise off-site
- Help with house dedications
- Make “Welcome Home” cards or baskets
- Other supervised off-site activities
AGES 14-15
MAY:
- Perform all activities in the “under 14” age group
- Paint baseboards or door frames off-site
- Clean a Habitat home after construction is complete
- Plant flowers
- Serve food to volunteers
- Babysit for volunteers or
partner families
MAY NOT:
- Be present on an active construction site or perform general construction or repair work
- Engage in any Designated Hazardous Activities (as designated by the U.S. Secretary of Labor)*
- Engage in activities where youth could be exposed to asbestos or lead paint hazards
- Operate power-driven machinery
- Participate in a blitz build
- Work from windowsills
- Work from ladders, scaffolds, or their substitutes
AGES 16-17
MAY:
- Perform all activities listed for younger age groups
- Be present on an active construction site and perform general construction or repair work
- Load or unload goods to or from trucks or conveyors
- Operate power-driven machinery such as lawn mowers, but not items designated as hazardous
by the U.S. Secretary of Labor, such as saws, wood chippers, woodworking machines or shearing machines
MAY NOT:
- Engage in any Designated Hazardous Activities (as designated by the U.S. Secretary of
Labor)* - Engage in activities where youth could be
exposed to asbestos or lead paint hazards - Participate in a blitz build
Project Ideas:
Are you ready to get started with a project of your own? Click on your age group for more ideas!
Youth Groups
For groups, the same age-restrictions apply. To schedule your own project, please contact Michele Louderback at mlouderback@habitatsusq.org or 410-638-4434 x3.
*Designated Hazardous Activities include, but are not limited to, the use of power tools or equipment (e.g. saws, shearing machines, woodworking machines), motor vehicles, demolition, roofing operations and all work on or about a roof (including all work on the ground that is related to the roof), and excavation operations.
Anyone under the age of 18 must fill out the Youth Waiver and have it signed by a parent or guardian.
Major Sponsors
