St Augustine’s Church, Westbury
Health & Safety Policy
This document has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations made under it.
The policy is in three sections:
Section A – General statement of policy
Section B – Organisation and responsibilitiesSection C – Arrangements
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, casual labour 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 of the congregation, contractors, visitors and others who may visit the church, churchyard and any associated buildings.
The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements that 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 regularly and the appropriate changes made.
In order to ensure that Health & Safety matters are kept constantly under review, the Parochial Church Council will review this on a regular basis and employees and voluntary workers will be consulted in order to seek their views on Health & Safety matters.
B. Organisation and responsibilities
Responsibility of the Parochial Church Council (“PCC”)
Overall responsibility for Health & Safety is that of the PCC who will ensure that arrangements are in place to satisfy Health & Safety Regulations and appropriate Codes of Practice. Specific responsibilities may be delegated to church personnel. As new projects emerge, the names of responsible persons will be notified and the list amended accordingly.
The PCC members also carry the responsibility for the implementation of the arrangements outlined in this policy:
The responsibility of the PCC shall be to:
1) be familiar with Health & Safety Regulations as far as they concern church premises;
2) be familiar with the Health & Safety policy and arrangements and ensure they are observed
3) ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are in place;
4) ensure the Church is clean and tidy;
5) ensure the churchyard is properly maintained including the safety of monuments, tombstones and trees, and that grass is kept cut;
6) ensure that safety equipment and clothing is provided and used by all personnel where this is required
7) ensure that all plant, equipment and tools are properly maintained and in good condition and that all operators have received the appropriate training;
8) ensure that adequate access and egress is maintained;
9) ensure adequate fire fighting equipment is available and maintained;
10) ensure that no food preparation takes place on the premises.
Responsibility of employees and voluntary workers
All employees and voluntary workers have a responsibility to cooperate in the implementation of this Health & Safety policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others whilst on church business or premises.
Employees and voluntary workers must therefore:
- comply with safety rules, operating instructions and working procedures;
- use protective clothing and equipment when it is required;
- report any fault or defect in equipment immediately to the appropriate person;
- report all accidents (however minor), injuries, near misses or other potential safety
- hazards as soon as possible;
- not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
The PCC also act as “responsible persons” in ensuring that the following are covered:
Accident book/Accident reporting (1)
Fire extinguishers (2.1)
Emergency evacuation (2.4 plus see separate Fire Safety Policy)
Portable electrical appliances (3.1)
Fixed electrical system (3.4)
Hazardous substances (5)
Plant and machinery (6)
Condition of floors (7.1)
Condition of churchyard (7.2)
Light bulb changing (8)
Working at high levels (9 plus see also separate Working at Heights Safety Policy)
Manual handling (11)
Building defects/glazing (13)
Child protection (14)
Personal safety (15)
Events (16.1)
Contractors (17)
Health & Safety training
Risk Assessments (16)
Repairs (3, 4, 7, 8)
(The numbers in brackets relate to the appropriate section of the policy)
C. Arrangements (implementation of the policy)
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
First Aid box is located:
· Vicar’s vestry
Trained/qualified First Aiders are:
[We have no trained/qualified first aiders at present.]
The accident book is located in:
· Vicar’s vestry
All accidents and incidents are entered in the accident book or on an accident report form and our insurers advised.
The Church does not let to outside organisations on a formal basis but does allow the school use of the premises for services.
Accident books and accident records are regularly reviewed.
RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
These accidents will be reported by the responsible person.
2. 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:
· An assessment of the fire risks in the church and associated buildings and the risks to our neighbours. This is carried out either as a specific exercise or as part of our general
risk assessments
· A check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be warned
· A check that people who may be in the building can get out safely
· To provide reasonable firefighting equipment
· A check that those in the building know what to do if there is a fire
· A regular check that our firefighting equipment is in place and is serviceable, and that there is an annual maintenance inspection by a reputable company
A full fire safety policy is in place and displayed in the church.
2.1 Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are kept in the following location:
Back of church
The extinguishers noted above are checked annually by West One Fire Protection.
2.2 Fire alarm system
There is no fire alarm system
2.3 Other fire protection equipment
There is a sand bucket near the main door.
2.4 Evacuation procedure
The PCC has approved a separate Fire Safety Policy that is displayed in the church.
3. Electrical safety
Every year, plugs, cables and sockets will be inspected by the responsible person to ensure that there are no loose connections, worn flexes or trailing leads. Any repairs needed will be reported to the responsible person (repairs) for action.
Every year all our portable electrical equipment will be tested by a competent contractor (who is a member of the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
Contracting), ECA (Electrical Contractors Association) or other approved body) to ensure that all appliances are safe. Any unsafe equipment will be safely disposed of.
Every year a visual inspection will be carried out of the fixed electrical installation by the responsible person. Any defects will be reported to the responsible person (repairs) or action.
Every five years, our 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 will be carried out.
We do not have a lightning conductor to inspect (if we did this would be every 5 years)
It is our policy not to sell any second hand electrical goods unless they have been inspected and tested by a suitably qualified person and a register of such equipment is maintained.
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:
1) Visually check all electrical equipment before use.
2) Report all faults immediately to the responsible person.
3) Do not attempt to use or repair faulty equipment.
4) No electrical equipment is to be brought onto the premises and used until it has been tested by the approved person and entered in the electrical equipment record
5) Electrical equipment should be switched off and disconnected when not in use for long periods.
6) Flexible cables should be so positioned and so protected that they do not constitute a tripping hazard and are not subject to mechanical damage.
4. Gas equipment safety
There is no gas equipment on the premises.
5. Hazardous substances
The responsible person will maintain a list of all hazardous substances used in the church but, there possible, we have eliminated the use of hazardous substances. Where this is not possible, our safety arrangements are as follows:
· For all hazardous substances, which include substances marked as ‘harmful, irritant, corrosive, toxic, very toxic, flammable, highly flammable, extremely flammable, explosive, oxidising or dangerous for the environment’, data sheets or product information provided by the manufacturers are used to determine the correct method of use, protective clothing needed, method of storage, and action to take in the event of an accident.
· Do not mix chemicals.
· Do not store chemicals in unmarked containers.
6. Safety of plant and machinery
The procedures for checking and rules for use are as follows:
1) Employees and voluntary workers must not operate plant or machinery that they are not trained and authorised to use.
2) Employees and voluntary workers must not ride on any parts of machinery not intended for that use.
3) Machinery must be switched off before any adjustments are made.
4) After carrying out maintenance and adjustments, all guards must be replaced before the machinery is used.
5) 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.
6) The appropriate personal protective equipment detailed below must be worn when operating any item of plant or machinery.
7) Persons under the age of 18 may use hand tools only and are not permitted to operate any power driven item of plant or machinery.
8) Ladders may only be used when other equipment such as tower scaffolds or mobile elevated work platforms cannot be used and for work of short duration provided they can be safely secured. This may necessitate the use of ladder ties.
9) Any defect and damage found to any item of plant or machinery must be reported to
the responsible person.
10) All plant and machinery will be regularly maintained.
11) Persons must not work on their own unless they have a means of communication and have notified a colleague of the details of the work being undertaken and agreed a procedure to ensure their safety is checked on.
12) There are currently no items of plant and equipment that require to be tested by a competent person in accordance with an inspection programme.
7. Slips, trips and falls – condition of floors, steps and paths
In order to reduce as far as is reasonably practicable the risk of slips, trips and falls, regular inspections will be made by the responsible person of
1. all floors in the church and Church Room, and
2. all paths and steps in the churchyard.
Particular note will be made of moss, algae and leaves on paths. Any defects will be reported to the responsible person (repairs) who will arrange for repairs or remedial measures to be carried out.
8. Lighting
In order to ensure that the church is adequately lit, a regular inspection will be made by the responsible person to ensure that all lights in the church, hall and churchyard are working. Any bulbs that require replacing will be reported to the responsible person (repairs) who will ensure that the bulbs are replaced ensuring that appropriate safety precautions for the replacement of bulbs is followed.
9. Working at high levels
The PCC has approved a separate Working at Heights Policy that is displayed in the church.
10. Preparation of food
No food preparation takes place on the church premises.
11. Manual handling – lifting, carrying and moving loads
1. Our policy is to eliminate the need for manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.
2. Where it is not possible to avoid the need to move loads, we will carry out risk assessments and make use of lifting aids, including trolleys, lifts and hoists as far as possible.
3. The necessary training will be given to all those employees and voluntary workers who are required to undertake manual handling.
4. Only those persons who have received the appropriate training are authorised to undertake manual handling tasks.
12. Display screen equipment
There is no display screen equipment on the church premises.
13. Hazardous buildings/glazing
1. Our policy is to ensure that our buildings are safe and without risks to the health, safety and welfare of all who work in and use them. In order to achieve this, the buildings are inspected regularly by the responsible person.
2. Any defects noted are immediately reported to the responsible person and the procedures put in hand for repairs.
3. Where necessary, temporary measures are taken to ensure that there is no risk of accident or injury until permanent repairs can be carried out.
4.The PCC has undertaken it’s own review and does not believe there is any asbestos on the premises
However, there is the outside possibility of asbestos inside the organ but a standard survey by an external company would exclude “non readily accessible areas”.
As a result, if major organ (or wider building repairs) were necessary, a specific asbestos survey would be undertaken as part of preparation for that work
Where necessary, asbestos will be removed by an approved contractor.
5. There are no windows at a level or type that would require safety glass.
14. Child protection
1. We will ensure that child protection is in line with the current Church of England House of Bishop’s Policy Document.
2. A permanent record will be maintained of all accidents involving children.
3. The Parish has adopted a separate “Safeguarding Policy”
15. Personal safety
A Risk assessment (with appropriate controls) has been undertaken and approved by the PCC. This is displayed in the church and will be updated regularly to ensure it remains current.
16. Risk Assessment / Activities
A Risk assessment (with appropriate controls has been undertaken and approved by the PCC. This is displayed in the church and will be updated regularly to ensure it remains current.
The assessments and procedures shall be reviewed annually by the Parochial Church Council.
17. Contractors
Anyone entering church premises for the purposes of carrying out work, other than an employee or voluntary worker of the church, will be regarded as a contractor. All contractors, including the self-employed, must abide by the following:
1. Have their own Health & Safety policy (where required by law) and be able to provide a copy of the same.
2. Produce evidence that they have appropriate public and employers’ liability insurance in place. A record of this evidence will be maintained.
3. Comply with all the requirements of this Health & Safety policy and cooperate with the church officials in providing a safe place of work and a safe system of operation.
4. Where plant and machinery is brought onto the church premises by contractors, they must be able to show where necessary that the equipment has been inspected and tested to ensure its safe operation.
5. Contractors may only use subcontractors or persons other than their own direct employees with the express permission of the church officials. However, responsibility will remain with the contractors.
6. All contractors will be given detailed instructions regarding the areas where they are permitted to work and the extent of the work they are authorised to undertake. This ‘permit to work’ will also specify any safety precautions they must undertake.
19. Health & Safety law poster
The church does not have any employees and so is not required to display this poster.