Commitment to Safety

Effective Date:

November 2025

Focus Group:

All Employees, Missionary Field Staff, and Ministry Partners

Purpose:

To promote and maintain safe, healthy, and secure work and ministry environments across all areas of Global Outreach International (GOI). This policy defines shared responsibilities for safety awareness, emergency response, and risk management to ensure the protection of all employees, missionaries, and ministry partners.

Guidelines:

1. Shared Responsibility for Safety
   Global Outreach International believes that a safe and secure environment is a shared responsibility between leadership and every employee or ministry partner.
   • Each individual is expected to use common sense, caution, and good judgment in all work and ministry activities.
   • Employees and missionaries must comply with all safety rules, procedures, and legal requirements designed to prevent injuries, accidents, and hazards.
   • Unsafe conditions, hazards, or potential safety risks must be reported immediately to the Director of Operations or the Human Resources Director.
   • GOI encourages a culture of openness where employees can freely report concerns without fear of retaliation or reprisal.
2. Emergency Response Procedures
   • In the event of an emergency, employees and ministry partners should immediately notify local emergency personnel (e.g., police, fire, or medical responders).
   • Once immediate safety is ensured, the incident must be reported to the Vice President of Operations or HR Director as soon as possible.
   • This includes all workplace or ministry-related injuries, accidents, or illnesses, regardless of severity.
   • Timely reporting ensures proper response, documentation, and corrective action to prevent future incidents.
3. Missionary and Ministry Partner Risk Management Plans
   • All missionaries and ministry partners are required to develop and maintain a Risk Management Planspecific to their ministry context.
   • The plan should identify potential safety, health, and security risks in both home and field ministry environments, including emergency response steps and local contact information.
   • Missionaries should periodically review and update their plans to reflect changing conditions, host-country requirements, or ministry developments.
   • Questions or requests for guidance in developing a Risk Management Plan should be directed to the Director of Operations.
4. Accident and Incident Reporting
   • Any workplace or ministry accident, injury, or illness must be reported promptly, even if the incident appears minor.
   • GOI will investigate reported incidents to determine causes and implement corrective measures where needed.
   • Employees or missionaries who fail to report incidents or who knowingly provide false or incomplete information may be subject to disciplinary action.
5. Safety Education and Resources
   • GOI may provide training, safety briefings, or educational materials to promote awareness of potential risks and best practices in ministry and travel contexts.
   • Supervisors and field leaders should regularly discuss safety expectations with their teams and review emergency procedures.
6. Faith-Based Commitment
   Global Outreach International views safety and care for others as expressions of Christian stewardship and love.
   • GOI encourages all employees and missionaries to act responsibly and to look after the well-being of others as an act of service and compassion.
   • Through vigilance, preparation, and faith, we aim to foster ministry environments that reflect peace, order, and God’s protection.