Please be sure to file a worktrip report after each worktrip. Shenandoah National Park's funding depends in part on how many hours volunteers work.
Work Trip Safety When SSVC members and other volunteers do trail work in Shenandoah National Park, we operate under a volunteer agreement with the National Park Service which confers benefits of medical treatment for injuries sustained during our work. If we were NPS employees, we would be subject to stringent safety regulations regarding the use of personal protective equipment. NPS often cringes and looks the other way when it sees some of the things PATC trailworkers do. Operating a weedeater is the most hazardous thing we do, with possible eye and face injury from thrown debris or getting into poison ivy, and hearing damage. PATC has provided ear muff/face shields for three of us who routinely use PATC weedeaters. Safety glasses – preferably wrap-around – should be worn in addition to the face shield. For those who bring and use their own weedeaters, please bring and use safety glasses and muff or plug ear portection. All should wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and gloves when weedeating.
If we ever have a reportable injury, things will go better if we can show that all possible safety measures were in use.
Thanks,
Mark Gatewood President SSVC |