Safety Instructions, Waiver & Release of Liability
READ BEFORE SIGNING

In light of COVID-19, Adopt-a-Highway volunteers are encouraged to take precautions Please refer to the latest guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health.

Guidance from  Wisconsin Department of Health:
             https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

Safety Instructions:
The Adopt-A-Highway program emphasizes safety. As part of this emphasis the program provides a safety video and "Your safety comes first," a take-along printable brochure.
It is strongly encouraged every participant watch the video and be familiar with roadside safety concerns. It is important to be very careful when working on the roadsides.

        https://youtu.be/ozuH9WG1axM.
        https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/real-estate/roadsides/adopt-hwy/safety.aspx

Important: Do not pick up any of the following:

Hazardous materials
Hazardous waste found along our highways can pose potential dangers for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers.
• ​Abandoned barrels
• Antifreeze
• ​Any container with a RADIOACTIVE label
• Any container with liquid including soda bottles
• Broken automotive batteries
• Bulging or dented containers
• Chemical containers
• Containers leaking an unknown substance
• Containers of unidentifiable materials
• Dead animals
• Gas cans
• Hypodermic needles
• Narcotics
• Paint cans
• Pesticide/herbicide containers
• Sharp objects
• Unidentifiable containers
• Used oil
• Weapons

If you see any of the items listed above: 
• Always approach a container from uphill and upwind. The wind will blow any vapors away from you and approaching from uphill will prevent you from walking into any chemical present on the ground.
• Leave the area immediately if you detect any odors out of the ordinary. Be on alert for the following odors, these can be connected with meth lab waste as well as other chemicals:
○ Ether-like
○ Solvent-like
○ Vinegar-like
○ Ammonia-like
• Use common sense. If an item seems questionable, err on the side of caution and DO NOT TOUCH IT OR PICK IT UP. Put your safety, and the safety of the individuals with you, FIRST AND FOREMOST.
• Any items left behind, items on the pavement, and dead animals should be reported to the Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator on the cleanup report. County crews will come out and remove these items.
• If you find drugs, medical waste, or weapons, your crew chief should call 911. The proper authorities will come out and clean them up.

Meth lab waste
Meth is short for Methamphetamine. Methamphetamine drug lab waste can be found in many shapes and forms. Over 300 different chemicals can be used in production of the drug depending on the procedure used. The waste can be disposed of in many different ways, but one of the most common illegal ways is dumping the lab waste and propane cylinders on our roadsides.
• Meth lab waste could be medicine boxes, pill residue (putty looking substance pink to red in color), respirator masks, rubber gloves, rubber hosing and clamps, Pyrex glass, corning containers and other containers with rubber hoses attached. Bed sheets or pillow cases stained red or containing a white powdery residue may also be found.
• Propane cylinders from grills are used to transport anhydrous ammonia. This ammonia can burn your skin and cause very severe respiratory damage. These tanks, when used with the brass fitting, can explode when moved. The ammonia degrades the brass to the point where it can blow the fitting out of the tank, endangering individuals in the area. The brass fittings on the tanks will turn a blue to blue green color. Some tanks have been modified with other fittings. If you find cylinders, DO NOT TOUCH THEM but note location and report it to local law enforcement.
 
Abandoned barrels
If a lid on a drum is expanded outwards, this might indicate a good possibility of pressure inside container. There is a danger of exploding if this container were moved or touched. Other types of containers may also be found, and if you are unsure whether a container is safe to handle, DO NOT TOUCH IT!

Bottles or containers with liquid
Do not pick up bottles of liquid unless the liquid is clear. Liquids many not be what they appear to be. A bottle that looks like cola could contain a harmful substance.

Dead animals
Do not pick up dead animals. Dead animals can carry disease and should not be touched. If the animal is small, leave it for scavengers. If it is large, note the location and report it to the Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator.

Outdoor hazards
Working on roadsides can present many natural hazards one may not be familiar with. This is a list of items an Adopt-A-Highway volunteer should be familiar with and prepared to deal with:
• Fast moving traffic
• Heat stress
• UV radiation
• Severe weather
• Snakes
• Stinging insects and ticks
• Poison ivy and poison sumac
• Wild parsnip

Waiver & Release of Liability:
In consideration of being volunteered  to participate in highway cleaning with GMTS, related activities including, without limitation, the Event and cleaning the undersigned acknowledges, understands, and agrees that:
1. The risk of any from the activities involved in this program is significant, including the potential for permanent death, and while particular rules, equipment and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,
2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASES or others and assume full responsibility for my volunteering; and,
3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated rules, instructions from team leaders and customary terms and conditions for volunteering. I understand I may be removed from the Event at any time at the discretion of a team leader. If I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest team leader immediately; and,
4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY
RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS the Greater Milwaukee Tamil Sangam (GMTS), Wisconsin, volunteers, sponsors and all related relevant parties Sponsors, sponsoring agencies, advertisers and beneficiaries of the Event, invitees,servants, team leaders and volunteers of the foregoing (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise.
5. I HAVE READ THOROUGHLY ALL THE WISDOT Adopt A Highway safety instructions and watched the safety Video https://youtu.be/ozuH9WG1axM.