--- title: Should your volunteers sign a waiver? description: Utilizing volunteers in your organization comes with some risk. Should they sign waivers? Read more in our blog post. image: https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/volunteer%20waivers.jpg --- [![West Bend Insurance](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HS%20TEST%20LOGO.png?width=233&height=65&name=HS%20TEST%20LOGO.png "West Bend Insurance")](https://www.thesilverlining.com) ![toggle mobile navigation](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hs-fs/file-1692861603-png/images/nav-toggle.png) [![West Bend Insurance](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hs-fs/file-1696307430-png/images/logo-west-bend.png)](https://www.thesilverlining.com/) [Find An Agent](https://www.thesilverlining.com/find-an-insurance-agent) ![](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hs-fs/file-1939610327-jpg/website_images/smart-business-blog-banner.jpg) # Should your volunteers sign a waiver? Posted by [Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM](https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/author/kayla-eggert) on Sep 6, 2023 8:30:00 AM [![Share on facebook](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/social-icons/facebook-blue.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/volunteers-sign-waiver?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/social-icons/linkedin-blue.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/volunteers-sign-waiver?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/social-icons/twitter-x-blue.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/volunteers-sign-waiver?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/volunteers-sign-waiver?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/social-icons/pinterest-blue.svg) ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesilverlining.com%2Fbusinessblog%2Fblog%2Fvolunteers-sign-waiver%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) Many organizations use volunteers in some capacity throughout the year. Whether it’s for a few larger fundraising events or ongoing in important roles in the company, volunteers can be a critical component for an organization’s success. It’s important to [properly screen and vet volunteers](https://www.thesilverlining.com/safety-tips/volunteer-screening-best-practices) as well as to provide them with adequate training. Organizations often wonder if they should ask volunteers to sign waivers. While not always a requirement, having volunteers sign waivers can add an extra layer of protection for an organization. ![volunteer waivers](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/volunteer%20waivers.jpg?width=311&height=207&name=volunteer%20waivers.jpg) ## Waivers for volunteers A [waiver or an exculpatory agreement](https://www.thesilverlining.com/safety-tips/waivers-and-releases) is a document that can protect an organization from claims of negligence. An individual, say a participant in a race, signs a waiver agreeing they won’t hold the race organizers responsible for any injuries incurred during their participation in the race. Waivers are important for many different types of organizations. But do volunteers need to sign waivers? That depends on their role. If there’s a possibility that a volunteer could get injured performing their duties, then it’s a great idea to have them sign a waiver. For example, if your organization works with animals and there’s any chance of a volunteer getting bit or hurt by the animals, they should sign a waiver. Clearly outlining the risks that the volunteer could encounter in their role is an important risk management technique. On the other hand, if a volunteer’s role doesn’t involve much risk of injury, then a waiver probably isn’t necessary. Each organization will have to decide whether the risk of injury to a volunteer is high enough to warrant using a waiver. **Topics:** [Risk Management](https://www.thesilverlining.com/businessblog/blog/topic/risk-management) If you’re a content writer and would like to contribute to our blog, click [here](https://www.thesilverlining.com/content-contributor-agreement) to read our guidelines. ![Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM](https://www.thesilverlining.com/hubfs/images/Kayla-Eggert-blog-author.jpg) #### Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM Kayla Eggert began her insurance career at West Bend in 2014 as an underwriting tech, but quickly moved into the Loss Control department as a loss control assistant. There she created content and resources while supporting loss control field representatives. In 2019, she was promoted to loss control representative, and her primary responsibilities included meeting with business owners onsite and providing safety/risk management training and services. Since accepting a new opportunity in Marketing as a marketing services specialist in 2020, she has authored many blogs as a loss control expert. She now heads up content creation, collaborating with team members to educate our policyholders and the public. Kayla graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. During her time with West Bend, she’s earned the Associate Insurance Services (AINS) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family, running, and reading. 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