2008 Spokane River Clean-Up : Safety Agreement

Clean-Up Registration Step 1: Safety Agreement

Please review the following safety information and click the “Accept” button at the bottom of this page to continue.

Welcome!

The safety of our volunteers is all important, and takes precedence over all other event considerations. Help us make the Spokane River Clean-Up as safe as possible by carefully reviewing and following these safety tips. We'll also provide a safety briefing at the beginning of the event before you head out to your assigned locations.

General Safety Tips:

• Dress for the work and the rugged terrain along the banks of the river. It can be chilly in the morning, then warmer in the afternoon, so bring a light jacket or sweatshirt and wear long pants.
• Wear supportive shoes with some tread to avoid slips and falls.
• Plan for the weather with sunscreen, rain gear, etc.
• We provide latex gloves; you may want to bring heavier gloves.
• Work with a partner and watch out for each other’s safety.
• Watch out for other volunteers’ safety, especially when working close together.
• Pace yourself, don’t overexert.
• Take breaks, rest, don’t work continually. 
• Drink water, eat a snack.
• Follow common sense practices when lifting heavy items: use your knees, not your back.
• Fill collection bags only 2/3 full, especially when handling heavy items.
• Be sure that you are physically capable of what you intend to do before you attempt it; ask for help if you need it.
• Watch for poison oak, poison ivy, or other plants to which you may be allergic.
• Leave the site of hazardous conditions such as disturbed bee hives, especially if you have an allergy or are otherwise susceptible to the conditions.
• Consider bringing mosquito repellant.

When working near the river:

• Be aware that even at low water, the Spokane River can be hazardous if you fall in.
• Stay away from logs in or near the water.
• Use caution on steep banks and cliffs.
• Use caution around swift running water.
• Wear a life jacket when using a boat or raft.

When working near traffic:

• Wear a safety vest.
• Stay off the roadway
• Stop often to orient yourself and make sure you’re not wandering close to traffic.

When working on steep slopes or banks:

• Make sure your footing is stable.
• Stay away from cables that may be used to haul items upward.

When encountering a potential homeless site:

• Do not clean up a site that appears to be occupied.
• Do not approach a site that has someone in it.
• We conduct an outreach effort in the clean-up area the week before the clean-up and attempt to give people notice that we will be coming through.

When encountering hazardous items:

• Don’t touch – Mark the item and contact the Site Coordinator
• Identify each item before you touch it. If you are uncertain about an item, leave it alone.
• Do not touch medical waste or hazardous materials, including syringe needles, bandages and condoms.
• Don’t touch containers with unidentified liquid or material in them.
• Don’t touch propane gas tanks. They may be used to manufacture illegal drugs and can explode.

Safety tips for those working with youth volunteers:

• Review safety information and “rules” with youth before arriving at the site.
• Have their parents sign the liability waiver.
• Supervise youth activities on site.

In case an accident occurs:

• Know where the first aid kit is.
• Know where the nearest phone is. If it’s a cell phone, make sure you have a dial tone. Dial 911 if emergency medical care is required – know your location.
• Contact your team leader.

Next Steps

When you click the accept button, you will be taken to the registration page. Once you've registered, download, print and sign the Liability Waiver form to save time at check-in.

"I have reviewed the appropriate safety information on this page and agree to follow the safety tips listed here, in other Spokane River Clean-up event information, and at the event site."