Volunteer health and safety guidelines

To help keep you, and our team safe, the Heart Foundation has outlined our Health and Safety principles. These principles apply to all members of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand including volunteer workers.

As a Heart Foundation volunteer, your safety is especially important to us. To comply with Health and Safety legislation, the Heart Foundation asks that you:

• Always consider your own safety and that of others around you.
• Phone Hato Hone St John Ambulance (111) if there is a medical emergency.
• Report any hazards, injuries or "near misses" to the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432.
• Please ensure you are familiar with the evacuation procedures and know your nearest exit for indoor locations, as well as being aware of your surroundings when working outdoors.
• Your safety is more important than donations. If approached by someone expressing negative opinions or showing verbal aggression, focus on de-escalation and if you feel threatened, hand over the bucket immediately and call 111.
• Be conscious about how you manage the money on collection days. Please do not open the buckets on the street or give out change. If you have a bag with you, consider placing the bucket in the bag. Avoid parking your car in an isolated spot and if you must take buckets with money back to your car, be aware of your surroundings. If unavoidable, ask someone trustworthy to accompany you to your car.
• Any suspected theft should be reported to us by calling 0800 244 432.
• Bring a jacket or something warm to wear in case it is cold.
• Remember to wear sunblock, drink water and stand in the shade as much as possible.
• Volunteers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• While you are representing the Heart Foundation, we ask that you refrain from: smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol or sugary drinks (Coca-Cola, Power Ade, fizzy drinks etc.) and avoid eating obviously non-heart-healthy foods (i.e., takeaways, pies, chocolate bars etc.).
• Maintain good hygiene, it’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing, or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces. We would also suggest you wash your hands thoroughly when you get home from collecting and in between breaks, most importantly if you are stopping to eat food.
• If you ever feel unsafe leave the site immediately and call 111 and phone the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432.

If you're sick

If you’re sick it is especially important to stay home. Phone the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432, to let us know that you are unable to volunteer and look after yourself.