Volunteer Safety is Always our Top Priority

October 21, 2022 Update:

Following CDC guidance, vaccination and testing policies are not required but highly encouraged for volunteers joining us on site. To ensure the safety of everyone on site, we still encourage healthy practices such as staying home when sick, washing your hands regularly, and listening to healthcare experts as new information becomes available.

Read on for safety protocols and view our COVID-19 response landing page for updates.

If you've ever volunteered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, you know safety is our top priority. And that's remained true during the pandemic. On construction sites and at ReStore Outlets, our staff and volunteers have been diligent about following our ever-evolving COVID-19 safety protocols. If you were one of those people, THANK YOU!

Please read on to see all of our current COVID-19 safety protocols, which are also updated on our Coronavirus Response page.

Updated Protocol

Following CDC guidance, vaccination and testing policies are not required but highly encouraged for volunteers joining us on site. To ensure the safety of everyone on site, we still encourage healthy practices such as staying home when sick, washing your hands regularly, and listening to healthcare experts as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding as our protocols continue to change. We look forward to seeing you on site soon! If you have questions, please email volunteer@tchabitat.org.

Volunteer safety highlights

• Shorter days. Sites are open 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to allow more time for deep cleaning.
• Smaller crews. To allow space for social distancing, we’ve reduced our maximum number of volunteers. Depending on the project, there will be a maximum of 8 to 12 volunteers on site at any time.
• Masks are optional, regardless of vaccination status.
• Wash hands. Handwashing stations are on all sites. You’re encouraged to wash hands often and avoid sharing tools.
• Safe and sanitized. We continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing.
  

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Masks are optional, regardless of vaccination status.
  
• As with all COVID-19 protocols, mask requirements may change based on case counts and public health guidance.
• If you wish to wear a mask, please bring your own or request one from the site supervisor.
  
  

Distancing

• We encourage social distancing of at least six (6) feet between individuals when possible.
• Many construction activities require closer than six (6) feet of distance (framing, scaffold erection and deconstruction, sheetrock, exterior insulation, weather barrier, window and door installation, siding, flooring and cabinet installation). These activities will be present throughout the build.
• Work on separate floors or areas when possible while working on the interior of a home.
• Work on separate parts of the house where possible while working on the exterior of a home.
• There will be a maximum of 8-12 volunteers permitted on site at a time, depending on location or build type.

Stay safe while volunteering

• Wash hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.
  • Habitat will provide adequate handwashing stations at all sites, including those without running water.
  • Hand sanitizer is recommended if handwashing is not available.
• Minimize contact with common surfaces (door handles, etc.).
• Each person should use their own set of tools (hand tools, power tools, ladders, power cords, etc.) and materials (screws, nails, etc.) during the course of work where possible.
  • Habitat will provide all necessary tools, but you are encouraged to bring your own hand tools if you have them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover all coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
• In all instances, maintain at least a six (6)-foot distance between people.
  
  

Additional sanitation

• Site staff will sanitize hard surfaces and all tools on site after each work shift.
• ReStore staff will clean and sanitize common areas, bathrooms, carts, and hard top surfaces on a regular basis and as needed. More thorough cleaning will take place during non-access hours.

Expectations for persons exposed to, or exhibiting symptoms, of COVID-19

STAY AT HOME!

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate until a test can be taken. Additionally, the following guidelines are in place for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

If you have any questions, or if you would like any clarification on what meets the above criteria, please contact us before your arrival.

If symptoms appear while on site or after a day on site

1. Immediately return home and contact your health care provider as appropriate.
2. Notify your Twin Cities Habitat contact and site supervisor that you are experiencing symptoms.
3. Volunteer Management will ask who you have been in close contact with in the past two weeks.
4. Volunteer Management or your site supervisor will alert those who were in close contact.
5. Your health status will remain confidential.
6. Site may be shut down on short notice in accordance with Safety Policy.

We've outlined all of our volunteer guidelines in the below PDF documents. If you have any further questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@tchabitat.org or 612-305-7114.

• Volunteer Guidelines (PDF)
• COVID-19 Guidelines (PDF)
  
  

Next Steps

View our schedule of volunteer opportunities on VolunteerHub. You'll find a variety of shifts on construction sites or ReStore home improvement outlets.

We can’t wait to see you out volunteering!