Purpose
As a church, we understand that we owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of those who visit or use our church. We also know that as an employer we have a duty under Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work. Act 1974 to have a health and safety policy.
Our policy is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that our activities are carried out safely and do not pose a risk to the health of our employees, volunteers, congregation, visitors and others who may use the church. This will be in accordance with good practice and any relevant statutory provisions where they apply.
The Church Council (CC) accepts its overall responsibility for this and will ensure that adequate resources are made available to achieve this objective. Any decisions they make will have due regard for it.
The CC will appoint a member of the Centre, Finance & Property Committee to have specific responsibility for this policy and its implementation. To keep matters under review, we will include ‘health and safety’ as a standing item on the agenda for all meetings of the CC. We will monitor the effectiveness of the policy, amending it where we believe it is no longer valid.
It is the duty of each employee and volunteer to exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. This policy will be brought to their attention. We will try to ensure that everyone involved with the church plays their part in its implementation.
Organisation and Responsibilities
- Steven Smillie, member of the Centre, Finance and Property Committee will be the person with overall responsibility for implementing our policy. They will ensure that the arrangements set out in this policy satisfy any health and safety law, seeking specialist health and safety advice if necessary.
- Rachel Fitzgerald, the Centre Manager will have day-to-day responsibility for implementing our policy. They will ensure that the arrangements set out in this policy are carried out.
- All employees, volunteers and congregational members have a responsibility to cooperate in the implementation of this policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others while on church business or premises. They also have a responsibility to report hazards or unsafe conditions.
Competent Assistance
Where necessary, we will appoint someone who is competent to assist us in meeting our health and safety obligations.
Risk Assessment
Where necessary, we will complete risk assessments to identify what we need to do to comply with health and safety law. We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review and revise these where we suspect that they are no longer valid.
Information and Training
We will provide any necessary information and training for our employees and volunteers in a timely manner. We will keep a record of what is provided. We will also give relevant information to contractors and self-employed people who may need this to complete their work safely.
First Aid
We will provide adequate first aid facilities including – as a minimum – a suitably stocked first aid box and a person who will take charge of the first aid arrangements. We will also provide relevant information for employees and volunteers.
Defibrillator
The defibrillator will be inspected regularly and training provided to all employees on how to use it. A training video showing how to use the defib can be found here.
Accident Reporting
We will record details of any accidents that occur, in an accident book if required. We will report to the enforcing authority and keep records of certain accidents to employees, volunteers and members of the public in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
Monitoring
We will make periodic checks to ensure that our precautions remain effective and adequate. We will also ensure that any lifting, work or electrical equipment and church utilities are inspected as necessary to ensure that they remain safe. We will keep records of the checks we make.
Contractors
If we employ contractors, we make sure that they have their own health & safety policy and Public and Employers Liability insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents.
Record Keeping
Our Health and Safety Risk Assessments, records and other documents are kept in the Church Office.
Church Buildings
We will ensure that the fabric of our building is regularly inspected to make sure it is safe. Defects will be repaired as soon as is practicable bearing in mind that a specialist contractor may be required. Where necessary, temporary measures will be taken to prevent danger until permanent repairs can be made.
Construction Work
Where maintenance, refurbishment and restoration work is planned for our church, we will identify what we need to do to ensure the safety of all those concerned before work starts. We will also determine if we have any responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and comply with these if necessary.
Display Screen Equipment
Where our employees and volunteers regularly use computers daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more we will analyse workstations to identify precautions, implementing these as necessary. We will also provide information, training, eye/eyesight tests (on request) and special spectacles if needed.
Electricity
We will ensure that any electrical system, fixed machine and portable appliances are inspected, tested and maintained by someone who is competent to prevent danger. Any defective equipment will not be used until it is repaired or replaced. We will keep records of the checks made.
Events
Where we intend to hold large or unusual events or services, we will identify any additional precautions that are necessary and implement these.
Fire
We will complete a specific risk assessment to identify what steps are necessary to prevent and detect fire on our premises. This is set out in our fire risk assessment policy.
We will implement a programme of information and training to all relevant people as to the steps to be taken in the event of a fire.
We will ensure that all fire detection and firefighting equipment is serviced, maintained and checked on a regular basis.
We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review and revise these where we suspect that they are no longer valid.
Smoking
Smoking including the use of e-cigarettes is banned inside the building and no smoking signs are displayed throughout the building.
Heating & Cooking Systems
We will ensure that any heating or cooking system is suitably maintained and checked annually by a competent person. Any defects found will be corrected immediately and we will keep records of the checks made.
Hazardous Substances
We will ensure that any hazardous substances are stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions, taking any necessary precautions that are specified, and that the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are satisfied.
Lifting Equipment and ramps
We will ensure that any lifting equipment is properly serviced and maintained and thoroughly examined periodically by a competent person. The ramps will only be used by trained individuals who are aware of how to properly install the equipment for safe usage and inline with the manuals for each ramp. Rollable ramp manual availablehere. Multi fold ramp manual available here.
Manual Handling
We will avoid the need for lifting or carrying heavy objects as far as is possible. Where this is not practical, we will make use of lifting aids (such as, trolleys) or other precautions including team lifting. All staff are trained in manual handling.
Preparation of Food
We will ensure that on those occasions when we prepare food we use a clean and disinfected work surface, utensils and equipment. We will store food in such a way as to avoid contamination, provide hand-washing facilities and suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste. Preparation of food will be inline with the URC food safety section in the health and safety guidance. We shall advise people of allergens and intolerances in food in a clear, suitable and simple means. ‘Free from’ foods are stored, plated and served separately from foods containing allergens and are clearly labelled.
Where external groups or individuals are permitted to use our kitchen facilities to prepare food, we will require proof of a food hygiene certificate.
Slips and Trips
We will implement suitable precautions to prevent slips or trips, taking account of any difficulty the frail, elderly or disabled may have in negotiating access. We will make periodic checks to ensure that floors, coverings, steps and pathways remain in good condition, free from obstruction and that any precautions (such as, handrails, lighting) remain adequate. We will correct any defects identified, keeping records of the checks we make. The use of coat racks will be provided and encouraged to ensure that slips caused by jackets falling from the back of chairs do not occur and for fire evacuation safety.
Heights
Access to the balcony will be supervised at all times to prevent trips or falls and access to the tower and the roof are heavily restricted. Only suitably qualified individuals including contractors will be permitted to work at height on and in the building.
Ladders
We will ensure that ladders are securely maintained and stored. Ladders should only be used responsibly and cautiously in line with the “Safe use of ladders and stepladders” written by the ladder association available here.
Staff will check ladders for faults before any use and will follow instructions for individual ladders as appropriate.
If a ladder is required to be used by another user of the building, they do so at their own risk and this is made clear in our terms and conditions for hirers of the building. Instruction manuals for ladders are available and will be shared with all necessary people.
Scalding
Precautions to prevent scalding should be taken when using the following items of equipment which have a high risk of scalding. Individuals should only use the equipment where they are comfortable they understand the risks and inline with the manuals for the equipment.
Water boiler – As set out in the user manual, https://tinyurl.com/ydey3ya7 . Receptacles with large volumes of boiling water should not be moved from below the water boiler without a secure lid to prevent spills and injury.
Filter coffee machine – As set out in the user manual, https://tinyurl.com/yc2mh6hu
Soup urns – As set our in the user manual, https://tinyurl.com/5z8m9cr7
Young people
Young people should be supervised at all times whilst in the building due to their unpredictable nature and their lack of ability to assess risk. In particular – items which present a choking hazard are not accessed by young children; Children are prevented from accessing areas of the building where they could fall from heights including stairs or balconies; Equipment which a child could pull on top of themselves are either securely fastened or left flat on the floor; Chemicals are securely stored out of young people’s view or reach.
Violence and Aggression at Work
Augustine United Church has a zero-tolerance policy on violence and aggression towards staff members and we will take all reasonably practical steps to safeguard employees from incidents of violence at work. Where incidents of violent behaviour from members of the public take place, we will follow an agreed reporting procedure and provide appropriate support and help to the victim, as per our separate policy.
Lone Working
Employees and volunteers are frequently required to work in our building alone and we take their safety seriously. Our lone working policy lays out the measures which will be taken to reduce risk where lone working occurs.
Water testing/Legionella
We have undertaken a suitable risk assessment to determine risks posed to our building users by Legionella. We will carry out regular reviews of this assessment alongside a weekly and monthly testing schedule to ensure continued safety.
Asbestos
There is no known asbestos within the fabric of the church building. Any material found and thought to be suspicious will be tested by a reputable firm. An asbestos register is kept updated in the admin office and is available for any staff member, building user, or contractor as necessary.