Worksite/Safety Information

CHWC partners with local social agencies and parishes. We request projects in low-income communities for people who otherwise would not be able to afford help. We ask that you refrain from being judgmental when a house or work project does not meet your standards for repair. Be confident the agency has selected this project for a purpose and God has you there for a reason.

Safety is our primary concern. CHWC is very focused on providing a safe, secure, and protected environment. Any mission traveling overseas involves an element of risk and hazard but CHWC will take all the necessary precautions in order to ensure your physical and emotional safety.

  • Workcampers are permitted to use power washers and drills but not power saws. Only designated “troubleshooters” or experienced adults are permitted to use power saws.
  • All participants should wear work boots or sturdy tennis shoes while at worksites. Sandals and any open-toe shoes are not permitted.
  • All participants are required to wear safety eye goggles while scraping paint and painting. Paint in your eyes, especially if you wear contacts, is very painful. To avoid dust, mini-cup facemasks should be worn in an attempt to avoid possible problems.
  • HEART Workcamp does not do roof repair. At no time should a Workcamp participant be up on a roof. The only exception is if a person must lie on the roof to paint the trim of a house.
  • Before you begin work each day, inspect your work area for hazardous working conditions and be aware of broken glass, protruding nails, low electrical lines, insect nests, etc. Clean up problem areas before starting your work.

Ladder safety is very important. One person should always be the ‘spotter’ and hold the ladder for the person who is standing or climbing on the ladder. Make sure the ladder you are working on is on a stable surface.

  • For a comprehensive understanding of ladder safety, please review the following document: Ladder Safety.

In the unlikely event that a team feels unsafe, bring the situation to the camp manager’s attention and an evaluation will be made on whether or not the team should continue to work at this site. If CHWC feels they are in any kind of danger, the team will be moved immediately.