Voluntary Groups in Malta Get Safety Boost with OHSA’s Extended Training

Imagine this: a group of volunteers from the Malta Hospice Foundation, armed with newfound knowledge and confidence, setting up a safety perimeter at their next fundraising event. This is not a distant dream, but a reality thanks to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority’s (OHSA) extended free health and safety training programme for voluntary organisations.

Why This Matters to Malta’s Volunteer Scene

Malta’s voluntary sector is the lifeblood of many community initiatives, cultural events, and charitable causes. Yet, these organisations often operate with limited resources, including budgets for safety training. OHSA’s initiative aims to bridge this gap, ensuring that volunteers are equipped with essential safety skills to protect themselves and others.

Malta, with its vibrant voluntary sector, stands to benefit greatly from this programme. From the bustling streets of Valletta during the annual Malta Arts Festival to the serene countryside during clean-up drives, volunteers are everywhere. And now, they’re getting safer.

What’s Covered in the Training?

The extended training programme, initially launched in 2020, covers a wide range of topics crucial for volunteer safety. These include:

• Risk assessment and management
• First aid and emergency response
• Fire safety and prevention
• Manual handling techniques
• Health and safety specific to the volunteers’ sector of operation

For instance, volunteers from environmental organisations might learn about safety measures specific to outdoor activities, while those from cultural events could focus on crowd management and event safety.

How to Get Involved

Voluntary organisations interested in availing themselves of this training can contact OHSA directly. The authority has been proactive in reaching out to NGOs, ensuring that no organisation is left behind due to lack of information.

OHSA’s Director, Major General Anthony Aquilina, has been quoted saying, “We believe that every volunteer deserves to be safe while making a difference. This training programme is our way of supporting Malta’s voluntary sector.”

So, whether you’re part of a local NGO, a cultural organisation, or a charity, consider this your call to action. Reach out to OHSA, get your volunteers trained, and make Malta’s volunteering scene even safer.