Volunteers - Liabilities and Injuries

Volunteer service at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) involves risk to the volunteer.  These risks include being hurt (“personal injury”), damage to clothing and personal property, and theft of personal property brought on campus. Volunteers assume risks of injury and property damage and loss when they volunteer.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) does not provide insurance for property damage, the theft or destruction of property, costs of treating personal injury, or lost income, to protect volunteers from financial losses that may result from their experiences at UMB.  UMB does not reimburse volunteers for their expenses related to property loss, damage, theft, or personal injury, or compensate volunteers for injuries.  The State of Maryland does offer limited protection to help volunteers get medical care if they are injured while volunteering at UMB.

Under Maryland law, volunteers suffering an injury or related exposure in the course of  UMB approved volunteer activities may seek reimbursement or payment for medical services required to treat the injury or exposure. Volunteers should file claims for medical coverage with UMB’s Risk Management Office within three (3) days of the injury or exposure.  Claims are made using the “First Report of Injury – Volunteer” form. In addition, volunteers should follow the procedures for obtaining medical treatment (same as UMB employees) outlined on Risk Management’s web page.

Any school, department or unit wishing to utilize volunteers is required to follow these procedures:

1. Determine whether the proposed volunteer activity is appropriate, and correctly described as volunteering.   Sometimes questions arise about whether a person working at UMB without compensation will be a volunteer or will be a student (registered or unregistered) in an educational program.  These questions should be addressed to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (6-1850).  Questions may arise about whether a person’s intended uncompensated activities can be provided as a volunteer or must be provided as an employee. These questions should be addressed by Human Resources, Staffing and Career Services, 6-7171.
   
   
2. Determine the age and background requirements for volunteers for the
   proposed activity.  See special rules on minor volunteers below.  Some volunteer activities are not appropriate for minors.
   
   
3. Volunteers who are at least 18 years of age must complete and sign the approved “Volunteer Waiver and Agreement Form”. For volunteers under the age of 18, the waiver form for minors, Volunteer Consent Form and Agreement for Minor Volunteer with Parent or Guardian Consent, must be completed and signed by both parents (or only one parent, if a court order gives one parent sole custody, or the volunteer only has one known or living parent) or a court-appointed guardian.  If a guardian signs, clearly indicate on the form that the signing party is a guardian, and attach a copy of the guardianship order.
   
   
4. To reduce risk, all volunteers must attend appropriate safety training offered by Environmental Health and Safety prior to engaging in volunteer activity covered by training. The training must be appropriate for the activities the volunteers will be performing. Some training can and will be combined and some will be appropriate only for volunteers at least 18 years of age.  See the training chart below for additional information.  Contact at EHS, 6- 7055 for more information on available training.

5. Schools, departments, and units are required to verify that all required forms are executed and that all appropriate training has been taken, and that proper supervision will be provided. All paperwork should be maintained at the school, department or unit’s designated administrative office for a period of not less than three (3) calendar years after the conclusion of the volunteer’s activities, if the volunteer is 18 or older, and for at least ten (10) calendar years, if the volunteer is under 18.
   
   
6. The ultimate decision to utilize a volunteer, especially a minor, rests with the school, department, or unit, and is subject to its additional guidelines and procedures not inconsistent with this policy. 
   
   
7. Volunteering at UMB is a privilege, NOT a right.  Any school, department or unit can refuse to accept volunteers.   Any school, department or unit can ask a person to stop being a volunteer.
   
   
8. Volunteers are eligible to request coverage / reimbursement for medical expenses resulting from an injury or exposure to asbestos, lead, etc. in the course of volunteer activities. The volunteer must immediately notify a supervisor of any injury or exposure.  The supervisor must notify Risk Management (EHS) by using the appropriate reporting form.
   
   
9. Minor volunteers must be assigned duties appropriate to their age. UMB has developed minor volunteer guidelines based on guidelines for employment of minors that have been established by the Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing (DLLR) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor. The UMB volunteer guidelines limit minor volunteers from activities in or around hazardous materials, equipment or operations based upon the age of the volunteer.  In case of doubt, contact the Office of Risk Management (6-3221 0r 6-7034) before accepting volunteer services.   Risk Management will make final decisions about the suitability of proposed activities. The following are UMB’s guidelines that address many, but not all, circumstances that may affect volunteers.

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NOTE: UMB refers to all facilities both on the main campus and all off-campus location that are used by the campus, as tenant or otherwise, e.g., VAMC, UMMC, MPRC, Riverside Conference Center, etc.

Rev: 7/15/08