Ask ECRI: When Residents Want to Lend Their Expertise: Construction Safety

A member recently asked for guidance related to risk and safety issues of allowing residents to use their personal expertise and equipment to work on a facility's grounds or building. In our response, ECRI Institute notes that although it is commendable that residents may wish to lend a helping hand and contribute to the community using their expertise (e.g., former carpenters, landscapers, electricians), this particular practice has many identifiable and potential severe harm risks for the residents themselves, the organization, and its stakeholders.

The following list of risks is not all‐inclusive; risk managers should consult their...