IMMANUEL CHURCH, CHICHESTER HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY Approved by the Trustees: November 2016
Health and Safety Policy Introduction The main piece of health and safety legislation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and its associated regulations. This legislation applies when a Church is an employer because it has at least one paid employee. However the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) considers it good practice for a volunteer user, such as a Church, to provide volunteers with the same level of health and safety protection as they would in an employer/employee relationship, irrespective of whether there are strict legal duties. The Act says that you must do what is reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of all who come, or are likely to come, onto church land or premises. It is not always possible to give prescriptive advice on what health and safety responsibilities are in a given situation. It is often up to the people responsible to judge what is reasonable in the circumstances having due regard to the risks which may exist, the precautions which are already in place and the resources available. The Policy is in three sections: A. General Statement of Policy B. Organisation and Responsibilities C. Arrangements
Section A General Statement of Policy Our policy, so far as is reasonably practicable, is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees and voluntary helpers, and to provide such information, training and supervision as they need for this purpose. We will also endeavour to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all members and visitors to Immanuel Church. The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements, which we will make to implement the policy, are set out below. The policy will be kept up to date, particularly in the light of any changes to our buildings or activities. To ensure this, the policy and the way in which it has operated will be reviewed annually and the appropriate changes made. In order to ensure that health and safety matters are kept constantly under review, an item on Health and Safety will be on the agenda for all meetings of the Immanuel Church Trustees and employees and voluntary workers will be consulted on a regular basis in order to seek their views on health and safety matters.
Section B - Organisation and Responsibilities 1. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRUSTEES Overall responsibility for health and safety is that of the Trustees of Immanuel Church. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND TRUSTEES The Leadership Team and Trustees have general responsibility to ensure that the health and safety policy is implemented. 3. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER The Responsibility of the Health and Safety Officer (the Responsible Person) shall be to a. Be familiar with health and safety regulations related to buildings used for church activities. b. Be familiar with the health and safety policy and arrangements and ensure they are observed. c. Ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are in place. d. Ensure that safety equipment and clothing is provided and used by all personnel where this is required. e. To identify and report any issues related to the following, to the owner / manager of facilities used by the church. Ensure the building is clean and tidy. Ensure that the grounds surrounding are properly maintained and safe Ensure that adequate access is maintained. Ensure adequate fire fighting equipment is available and maintained. 4. RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTARY WORKERS All employees and voluntary helpers have a responsibility to co-operate in the implementation of this health and safety policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others whilst on church business or premises. Employees and voluntary workers must therefore: a. Comply with safety rules, operating instructions and working procedures. b. Use protective clothing and equipment when it is required. c. Report any fault or defect in equipment immediately to the appropriate person. d. Report all accidents (however minor), injuries, near misses or other potential safety hazards as soon as possible. e. Not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
Section C - Arrangements This section sets out our arrangements to minimise as far as is reasonably practicable risks to the health and safety of employees, voluntary workers, members of the congregation, visitors and contractors. 1. ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID a. First Aid box is located in the kitchen area. (Transportable to external events organized by the church). b. The accident book is located in the kitchen area.(transportable to external events organized by the church). c. All accidents and incidents are to be entered in the accident book. d. A supplementary First Aid box is located on the bus 2. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY Our policy is to fulfil our obligations under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In order to achieve this, we undertake the following: a. A check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be warned. b. A check that people who may be in the building can get out safely. c. A check that those in the building know what to do if there is a fire. d. A regular check that the fire fighting equipment is in place and is serviceable, and that there is an annual maintenance contract in place with a reputable company. e. To perform a fire risk assessment for our main place of worship and for individual events. f. Fire evacuation procedures to be explained by the Health and Safety Officer at least annually and preferably at the time of the Annual General Meeting. Issues to be covered by the Health and Safety Officer shall include location of fire escapes, emergency lighting provisions, location of assembly point, location of fire extinguishers and suitability of fire extinguishers for differing fire types. Procedure on discovery of a Fire (No matter how small) Immediately raise the alarm. Telephone the emergency services. Check the building for occupants. Attack the fire if possible within your capability using the appliances provided, but without taking personal risk. If not possible to attack the fire or if you are unsure which fire extinguisher to use, assist in the evacuation of the building, ensuring that all doors are closed behind you. The general rule is People before Property. Ensure clear access for the emergency vehicles.
3. ELECTRICAL SAFETY a. At regular intervals, plugs, cables and sockets will be visually inspected to ensure there are no loose connections, worn flexes or trailing leads. A competent electrician will carry out any repairs needed. b. Misuse and abuse of electricity is a significant cause of fires and injury. Faulty electrical equipment can kill. All employees and voluntary workers must observe the following: Visually check all electrical equipment before use. Report all faults immediately to the Responsible Person. Do not attempt to use or repair faulty equipment. Electrical equipment should be switched off and disconnected when not in use for long periods. Flexible cables should be so positioned and so protected that they do not constitute a tripping hazard and are not subject to mechanical damage. c. To identify and report any issues related to the following, to the owner / manager of facilities used by the church: d. To ensure that the fixed electrical system will be inspected and tested by a competent contractor who is a member of the NICEIC, ECA or other approved body. Any necessary remedial work to be carried out. 4. GAS EQUIPMENT SAFETY To identify and report any issues, related to the below, to the owner /manager of facilities used by the church. Check that any installed gas equipment is maintained and checked annually by a competent contractor who is a CORGI registered gas installer. Any necessary work required for safety is implemented immediately. 5. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES a. Where at all possible, we have eliminated the use of hazardous substances. Where this is not possible, hazardous substances are locked away and only used by persons with the appropriate experience. b. Personal protective equipment should be used where appropriate. c. Do not mix chemicals. d. Do not store chemicals in unmarked containers.
6. SAFETY OF PLANT AND MACHINERY a. Employees and voluntary workers must not operate plant or machinery that they are not trained and authorised to use. b. Machinery must be switched off before any adjustments are made. c. Before using any item of plant or machinery, a check must be made to ensure it is in a safe working condition, correctly adjusted, and there are no loose nuts, bolts or other defects. d. The appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn when operating any item of plant or machinery. e. Ladder use to be in accordance with Immanuel Ladder Use Policy. For more complex and extensive working at height consideration should be given to the use of mobile elevated work platforms or mobile access platforms. f. Any defect and damage found to any item of plant or machinery must be reported to The Responsible Person. 7. SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS (Condition of floors, steps and paths) To identify and report any issues related to the following, to the owner /manager of facilities used by the church. In order to reduce as far as is reasonably practicable the risk of slips, trips and falls, inspections will be made of all floors and all paths and steps. Any defects need to be repaired. 8. LIGHTING To identify and report any issues, related to the below, to the owner /manager of facilities used by the church. Check that the building is adequately lit and that light bulbs are replaced as necessary. 9. WORKING AT HIGH LEVELS Only approved contractors or competent volunteers may work at high levels subject to the necessary safety provisions being in place. 10. PREPARATION OF FOOD a. We ensure that we follow the appropriate regulations governing the preparation and storage of foodstuffs. (Activities such as the occasional preparation, off site, of food by individuals or groups, for gatherings or for sale at charitable events are excluded from the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006). b. We ensure that all food handlers have received adequate supervision, instruction and training. c. We ensure that the appropriate assessment of risks is carried out for the foods to be prepared and stored including storage at the correct temperatures. d. Before any preparation commences, all surfaces coming into contact with food must be washed down and disinfected.
11. MANUAL HANDLING (Lifting, carrying and moving loads) a. Our policy is to eliminate the need for manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable. b. Where it is not possible to avoid the need to move loads, we will carry out risk assessments. c. The necessary training will be given to all those employees and voluntary workers who are required to undertake manual handling. 12. HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS / GLAZING To identify and report any issues, related to the following, to the owner /manager of facilities used by the church. Our policy is to ensure that the buildings we use are safe and without risks to the health, safety and welfare of all who use them. Any defects should be noted and immediately reported. Where necessary, temporary measures are taken to ensure that there is no risk of accident or injury until permanent repairs can be carried out. A check is made of all glazing in the buildings to ensure that any glass in windows below waist height and in doors and beside doors below shoulder height is of a safety material or is protected against breakage. 13. ISOLATED WORKING Any employee or volunteer should assess any risk before committing themselves to any situation and immediately report any problems to the Responsible Person. 14. RISK ASSESSMENT a. We have a legal duty to assess the risks which exist in the facilities and locations used by the church and to reduce them as far as reasonably practicable. Any risk which cannot be entirely removed should be reduced until it can be described as a small risk. b. Risk assessments should: Identify the hazards Quantify the risk of an accident occurring Quantify the potential impact of such an accident Identify existing precautions and decide whether they are adequate or whether more should be done to overcome the hazard Record the significant findings of your risk assessment, eg. the main risks and the measures you have taken to deal with them.
15. HOUSE KEEPING AND PREMISES The responsible person will monitor processes to ensure that: safe stacking and storage methods are followed standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in kitchen areas waste is disposed of safely in appropriate containers corridors and exits are kept clear and free of obstruction equipment in their work area is in good working order. 16. TRAINING Volunteers will be given briefings regarding any health and safety issues relevant to the tasks that they are undertaking. Any updates or changes to these arrangements will be discussed at meetings. Further training relevant to a volunteer s work will be offered. Policy agreed by the Trustees November 2016