Volunteers: Free Safety Training Just Got Extended

Imagine you’re volunteering at the Bir Miskin Museum in Birkirkara, guiding visitors through Malta’s rich history. Suddenly, you’re faced with an emergency. Would you know what to do? Thanks to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), you soon might.

Extended Lifeline for Volunteer Safety

The OHSA has extended its free health and safety training programme for voluntary organisations until the end of 2023. This means that volunteers across Malta, from Valletta to Victoria, can now access vital training at no cost.

This extension comes as a relief to many voluntary organisations that have been struggling with limited resources. “This is a godsend,” says Maria, a volunteer at the All You Need Foundation in Msida. “We’ve been wanting to provide safety training for our volunteers, but our budget just couldn’t stretch that far.”

What’s Covered in the Training?

The training programme covers a wide range of topics, including first aid, fire safety, manual handling, and risk assessment. It’s designed to equip volunteers with the skills they need to keep themselves and others safe while volunteering.

“We want to ensure that volunteers feel confident and capable when they’re out there making a difference,” says OHSA’s CEO, Joseph Farrugia. “This training is about more than just ticking boxes. It’s about giving volunteers the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.”

How to Sign Up

Voluntary organisations interested in signing up for the training can do so by contacting the OHSA directly. The authority is also encouraging individual volunteers to reach out to their organisations and encourage them to participate.

“We want to make sure that as many volunteers as possible have access to this training,” says Farrugia. “So, if you’re a volunteer, don’t be shy to speak up and ask your organisation to sign up.”

For more information about the training programme, including how to sign up and what’s covered, visit the OHSA website or contact them directly on 2292 4000.