Since an Eagle Scout service project is a unit activity, unit leadership has the same responsibility to assure safety in conducting a project as with any other unit activity. The unit leader or unit committee should reject proposals for inherently unsafe projects. The candidate should plan for safe execution, but it must be understood that minors cannot and must not be held responsible for safety concerns. As with any Scouting activity, the Guide to Safe Scouting applies.
The Unit Leader should work with the Scout to assure that he includes in his safety plan and daily work schedules the requirement to have two registered adult safety observers present. At least one leader must satisfy the training requirements listed in Guide to Safe Scouting. Unit oversight should be present whenever volunteers are supporting project activities. It is ultimately the Unit Leader’s responsibility to assure that the Scout integrates and follows BSA health and safety guidelines throughout the project execution. As with any Scouting activity, the GSS Guide to Safe Scouting applies. The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety must also be consulted as an appropriate planning tool.
Effective 4/20/2012 Health and Safety has released new guidelines for the use of power tools and has restricted work at heights. These guidelines apply generally to BSA activities in all programs as well as to Eagle Scout service projects. These new safety oriented guidelines will be referenced in the Guide to Advancement and are folded into the service project workbook.
In the interim the Eagle project test related to safety says, “Safety issues will be addressed.” This means that project reviewers must be convinced the Scout will pay sufficient attention to safety as he completes his planning (after his proposal is approved) and as he carries out his project. Project reviewers should providing candidates with the new guidelines and initiate a discussion about the importance of considering them in the further planning and execution of the project.
District reviewers will encourage Scouts to incorporate use of the new forms during the district face to face meeting.
Service Project Planning Guidelines, No. 680-027. This safety guideline provides Eagle Coaches and Unit Leaders with a checklist to help Scouts develop and include appropriate safety guidelines into the ‘Final Plan’ section of their Eagle workbook.
The use of tools, by any youth or adult, requires training in its proper use before a project starts. It also requires continuous, qualified unit adult supervision and discipline during the execution phases of the project.
Age Guidelines for Tool Use and Work at Elevations or Excavations, No. 680-028 should be used as a reference to determine appropriate personal protective equipment that must be used at all times when using hand or power tools as well as other personal safety equipment defined by OSHA standards are used. Another good reference that contains state specific guidance is Occupations Forbidden Minors Under 18 Years Of Age.
Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities This chart provides an at-a-glance reference to activity guidelines that are based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of youth members.
Please remember that Eagle projects are ‘Unit activities’ and as such Unit Leaders are responsible to assure that Eagle candidates include in their Final Plan and execute their service projects in accordance with these new BSA guidelines as well as other applicable guidelines referenced on the Health and Safety Guideline/Safety web page.
If there are any accidents or injuries, complete a BSA Incident Information Report, No. 680-016. The Unit Leader should submit it to the council service center as soon as possible. Immediately notify the council service center or Scout executive of any serious incidents requiring emergency or medical response. If there was a near miss i.e. does not result in injury, illness, or damage by definition, but it had the potential to do so, then the unit leader should complete a BSA Near Miss Incident Information Report, No. 680-017, and submit it to the council service center.
Additional information regarding Unit insurance can be found on the Council Insurance page.