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Health & Safety

Keeping People Safe

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Name of Premises: Croyde Baptist Church

Address: Cross, Croyde, Braunton. Devon. EX33 1PL

 

Name of Premises: Georgeham Baptist Chapel

Address: Georgeham, Braunton, Devon. EX33 1JJ

 

Name of Premises: Manse

Address: 17 Longland Lane, Georgeham EX33 1JR

 

As a church, we understand we owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of those who visit or use our buildings and grounds.

 

We also know that where we are an employer or control premises in certain circumstances, we have to meet the requirements of health and safety law. Where 5 or more are employed, a written health and safety policy is a legal requirement. Although we currently fall outside of this requirement, we have drafted this policy to meet and exceed our duty under Section 2 (3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.

 

General statement of 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 of health to our employees, volunteers, church members, visitors and any others who may use the buildings, grounds and any other space we are responsible for. This is in accordance with good practice and any relevant statutory provisions where they apply.

 

The Trustees accept their overall responsibility for this, and will ensure that adequate resources are made available to achieve this objective, and any decisions will have due regard for it.

 

A Trustee will have specific responsibility for this policy and its implementation. Health and Safety matters will be reviewed at appropriate intervals, and we will monitor the effectiveness of the policy, amending it accordingly.

 

It remains the duty of each employee and volunteer to exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and others within their remit. The policy is brought to their attention. We will try to ensure everyone involved with the church plays his or her part in its implementation.

 

A copy of this document will be kept in the Lounge Cupboard at CBC and made available to others upon request.

 

Organization and Responsibilities

 

1. The Trustee with overall responsibility for implementing our policy is Jo Bailey. She will ensure that:

  • the standards set out in this policy are implemented and maintained

  • where necessary, specialist health and safety assistance is obtained

  • only suitably competent and / or qualified persons carry out repairs, modifications, inspections and tests

  • any accidents are investigated, recorded and reported if necessary

  • relevant health and safety documents and records are retained

  • they keep up to date on health and safety matters relevant to the church

  • set a personal example on matters of health and safety

 

2. The trustees have day to day responsibility for implementing our policy. They are:

  • Andrew McCausland

  • Cheryl Burge

  • Laura Nias

  • Jo Bailey

 

They will ensure that:

  • all employees and volunteers are aware of their health and safety responsibilities

  • adequate precautions are taken as set out in this policy and related risk assessments

  • adequate information and training is provided for those that need it

  • any hazards or complaints are investigated and dealt with as soon as possible

  • where defects cannot be corrected immediately, interim steps are taken to prevent danger

  • all accidents are reported in line with the requirement of this policy

  • advice is sought where clarification is necessary on the implementation of this policy

  • set a personal example on matters of health and safety

 

3. All employees and volunteers have a responsibility to cooperate in the implementation of this policy and to take reasonable care of themselves or others while on church business or premises:

 

They will ensure that they:

  • read this policy and understand what is required of them

  • complete their work taking any necessary precautions to protect themselves and others

  • comply with any safety rules, operating instructions and other working procedures

  • report any hazard. defect or damage, so that this might be dealt with

  • warn any new employees or volunteers of known hazards

  • attend any training required to enable them to carry out their duties safely

  • do not carry out any repair or modification unless they are competent to do so

  • report any accident

  • do not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety

 

ARRANGEMENTS

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1. General Arrangements

 

(i) Risk Assessment

  • 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 they are no longer valid.

 

(ii) Safeguarding

See separate policy

 

(iii) Information and Training

  • We will provide any necessary training for our employees and volunteers in a timely manner and will keep a record of what is provided.

  • We will give relevant information to contractors and self-employed people who may need this to complete their work safely.

 

(iv) 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.

 

Our First Aid box in CBC is located in the lounge area near Coat hooks.

At GBC it is located in the kitchen area.

There is also a ‘roving’ First Aid Kit stored in the kitchen at GBC.

  • We will provide relevant information for employees and volunteers.

  • Our responsible First Aiders are Liz Greenway and Helen Milton.

  • The person responsible for the FA Kits is Maggi Lambert.

 

(v) Accident Reporting

  • We will keep accident books and record details therein.

  • We will report to the enforcing authority where necessary 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.

Our Accident Books are kept in the Lounge Cupboard at CBC

 

(vi) Monitoring

  • We will make periodic checks to make sure our precautions remain effective, adequate and safe.

  • We will keep records of the checks we make e.g. P.A.T.

 

(vii) Contractors

If we employ contractors, we will make sure that they have their own health and safety policy and Public and Employers Liability Insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents.

 

(viii) Record Keeping

Our Health and Safety Risk Assessments, records and other documents are kept in the Lounge Cupboard at CBC.

 

2.Specific Arrangements

 

(i) Asbestos

We will take steps to identify the presence of Asbestos in our buildings and, if so, assess any risk. A plan will then be implemented to manage that risk. We will also provide relevant information to others who may need it. Records of the checks plans and assessments we have made.

 

(ii) Church Buildings

We will ensure that the fabric of our buildings is regularly inspected to make sure it is safe. Defects will be repaired as soon as is practicable bearing in mind that a facility may be required. Where necessary, temporary measures will be taken to prevent danger until permanent repairs can be made. This will include glazing.

 

(iii) Grounds

We will ensure the boundary walls and gates are kept in good repair and will have trees inspected by a competent person and have any necessary work carried out to make them safe.

 

(iv) 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 theses if necessary.

 

(v) 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.

 

(vi) Electricity

We will ensure that any electrical system, fixed machine and portable appliance is maintained so as to prevent danger. Any defective equipment will not be used until it is repaired or replaced. We will keep records of the checks made where appropriate.

 

(vii) Events

Where we intend to hold large or unusual concerts, services and fundraising events, we will identify any additional precautions that are necessary, and implement them. e.g. Outdoor Church & Chapel Sessions.

 

(viii) Fire

We will complete a specific risk assessment to identify what steps are necessary to prevent, detect and take in the event of a fire. We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review and revise these where we suspect that they are no longer valid.

 

(ix) Heating Systems

We will ensure that any oil/other heating 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.

 

(x) Hazardous Substances

We only use domestic cleaning or horticultural products and petrol. We will ensure that these are stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions taking any necessary precautions that are specified.

 

(xi) Lifting Equipment

We will ensure that any lifting equipment is properly maintained and thoroughly examined periodically by a competent person.

 

(xii) 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 such as team lifting.

 

(xiii) Oil Storage-where we store large quantities of oil

We will take adequate precautions to ensure that oil cannot leak into the ground or any water course. This may include the provision of a double-skinned plastic tank, an adequate bund, regular checks and proper maintenance, etc.

 

(xiv) Preparation of Food and Drinks

We will ensure that on those occasions when we prepare food and drinks, we use a clean and disinfected work surface, utensils and equipment. We will store food and drinks in such a way as to avoid contamination, provide hand washing facilities and suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste.

 

(xv) Slips and Trips

We will implement suitable precautions to prevent slips and 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 hand rails or lighting) remain adequate. We will correct any defects identified, keeping records of the checks we make. We will have arrangements in place to manage pathways in winter weather.

 

(xvi) Working at Heights

Where possible, we will try to avoid the need to work at height. Where this is not practicable, we will ensure that any work is properly planned to identify suitable precautions. We will make sure that these are implemented, including the provision of any training and checks to ensure the safety of any equipment used.

 

(xvii) Work Equipment

Any work equipment (including any hand tools) we provide will be suitable, in good condition and properly maintained. Where necessary, some equipment, (such as ladders) will be regularly checked to make sure they are safe. We will keep records of any checks we make.

 

(xviii) Working Alone

We will identify circumstances where our employees and volunteers work alone, and implement suitable precautions to ensure their safety.

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Responsible Person:                                                                                        

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Date:

 

For further information on Health and Safety in churches:

Risk Management Advice Line. - 0345 600 7531

Email: risk.advice@baptist-ins.com

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