www.wonershchurch.com

Parish of Wonersh with Blackheath

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

For St John the Baptist Parish Church

While we try to keep this copy up to date, the Master held in the Church Office always takes precedent and any print from this page must be considered as UNCONTROLLED.

Last Amended:- AUGUST 2006

INTRODUCTION

This document has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations made under it.

The Policy is in three sections:

A. General Statement of Policy

B. Organisation and Responsibilities

C. Arrangements

CONTENTS

	Note to all Employees, Voluntary Helpers and Contractors
SECTION A – GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
SECTION B – ORGANISATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.		Responsibility of the Vicar
2.		Responsibility of the Churchwardens
3.		Responsibility of the Parochial Church Council
4.		Responsibility of the Health and Safety Officers
5.		Responsibility of Employees and Voluntary Workers
6.		Persons with Specific Responsibilities
SECTION C – ARRANGEMENTS
1.		Accidents and First Aid
2.		General Fire Safety
		2.1	Fire Extinguishers
		2.2	Fire Alarm System
		2.3	Other Fire Protection Equipment
		2.4	Evacuation Procedures
		2.5	Evacuation Drills
		2.6	Discovery of a Fire
3.		Electrical Safety
4.		Gas Equipment Safety
5.		Hazardous Substances
6.		Safety of Plant and Machinery
7.		Slips, Trips and Falls
8.		Lighting
9. Working at High Levels
10.		Preparation of Food
11.		Manual Handling
12.		Display Screen Equipment
13.		Hazardous Buildings and Glazing
14.		Child Protection
15.		Personal Safety
16.		Activities and Other Areas requiring Procedures
17.		Risk Assessments
18.		Contractors
19.		Information and Enforcement
		Acknowledgement to Ecclesiastical Insurance Group

NOTE TO ALL EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTARY HELPERS AND CONTRACTORS

The success of this policy will depend on your co-operation. It is therefore important that you read this document carefully and understand your role and the overall arrangements for health and safety.

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 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, 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 regularly 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 Parochial Church Council, and sub committees where they exist and employees and voluntary workers will be consulted on a regular basis in order to seek their views on health and safety matters.

Signed:

Vicar

Date:

Review Date:

SECTION B

ORGANISATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsibility of the Vicar

Overall responsibility for health and safety is that of the Vicar, the Revd Jeff Wattley, who will ensure that arrangements are in place to satisfy Health and 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.

2. Responsibility of the Churchwardens

Responsibility to ensure that the arrangements outlined in this policy are carried out and updated as necessary is with the Churchwardens, as noted below:-

Mr Eric Dalton

Mr David Legg

3. Responsibility of the Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council has general responsibility to ensure that the health and safety policy is implemented.

4. Responsibility of the Health and Safety Officers

The following persons carry the responsibility for the day to day implementation of the arrangements outlined in this policy:-

Mr Eric Dalton

Mr David Legg

The responsibility of the Health and Safety Officers shall be to:-

1. be familiar with Health and Safety Regulations as far as they concern church premises.
2. be familiar with the health and 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 and hall are 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 food hygiene regulations and procedures are observed.

5. 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:-
1. comply with safety rules, operating instructions and working procedures

2. use protective clothing and equipment when it is required
3. report any fault or defect in equipment immediately to the appropriate person
4. report all accidents (however minor), injuries, near misses or other potential safety hazards as soon as possible
5. not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.

6. Persons with Specific Responsibilities

The list of named persons responsible for safety in particular areas is to be found at Appendix A:-

1.	By Activity
	Accident Book/Accident Reporting (1)
	Fire Extinguishers (2.1)
	Emergency Evacuation (2.4)
	Portable Electrical Appliances (3.1)
	Fixed Electrical System (3.4) Gas Equipment (4)
	Hazardous Substances (5)
	Plant and Equipment (6)
	Condition of Floors and Stairs (7.1)
	Condition of Churchyard (7.2) Light Bulb Changing (8) Working at High Levels (9) Food Preparation (10) Manual handling (11) Display Screen Equipment 12) Building Defects/Glazing (13) Child Protection (14) Personal Safety (15) Contractors (18) Bell Ringing (16) Choirs/Music (16) Fetes and Outings (16) Health and Safety Training
2.	By Area
	Main body of church
	Chapel at Cemetery
	Vestry
	Sacristy
	Organ Loft
	Ringing Chamber
	Bell Chamber
	Boiler Room Kitchens
	Churchyard
	Church Hall (Lawnsmead)
	Cemetery
	Off Site Premises

SECTION C

ARRANGEMENTS

(Implementation of the Policy)

This section and associated procedures set 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 boxes are located in the Selwyn Room at the Church and in the Kitchen at Lawnsmead Hall.

Trained/qualified First Aiders are:
Mr Patrick MacVean

Mrs Mandy MacVean

The accident books are located in the Kitchen and Turner Room at Lawnsmead Hall and also in the Selwyn Room at the Church.

All accidents and incidents are entered in the accident book or on an accident report form and our insurers advised.

Accident books and accident records are regularly reviewed. The person responsible for Health and Safety will give a report to the PCC meeting once every 4 months.

RIDDOR

If the Church or Church Hall are let to outside organisations, they are told in writing that in the event of an accident, details must be entered in the accident book. A separate book is kept for this purpose and the Church Secretary will report these accidents.

2. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY

Our policy is to fulfil our obligations under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997. In order to achieve this, we undertake the following:

1. An assessment of the fire risks in the church and associated buildings. This will be carried out either as a specific exercise or as partof our general health and safety risk assessments

2. A check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be warned.

3. A check that people who may be in the building can get out safely, to include the provision of emergency lighting if necessary.

4. To provide reasonable fire fighting equipment.

5. A check that those in the building know what to do if there is a fire.

6. A regular check that our fire fighting equipment is in place and is serviceable, and that there is an annual maintenance contract in place with a reputable company.

2.1 Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are kept in the following locations:

Location Type of Capacity
Extinguisher

Church

Church Front Door 1 x water 3 L

1 x CO2 2 Kg

Kitchen 1 x powder 3 Kg

Lady Chapel Door 1 x water 3 L

Organ Loft 1 x CO2 3 Kg

Ringing Chamber 1 x water 3 L

Boiler Room 1 x powder 3 Kg

Back of Church 1 x water 3 L

Lawnsmead Hall

Kitchen 1 x CO2 2 Kg

Main Hall 1 x water 3 L

Turner Room 1 x water 3 L

Crossover Room 1 x water 3 L

The extinguishers noted above will be checked every month by the Responsible Person to ensure that they are still in place and have not been discharged.

Chubb checks the extinguishers noted above annually.

2.2 Fire Alarm System

There is no Fire Alarm System at Church or in Lawnsmead Hall.

2.3 Other Fire Protection Equipment

A Fire Blanket is located in Lawnsmead Hall Kitchen, and in the Kitchen of the Selwyn Room.

The fire blankets noted above will be checked every month by the Responsible Person to ensure that they are still in place and have not been used.
Chubb checks the fire blankets annually.

2.4 Evacuation Procedures

For large services and concerts, where the congregation or audience exceeds 250 at the Church, or 120 at Lawnsmead Hall, we will have in place a system for stewarding an evacuation. All relevant persons will be aware of their responsibilities in these circumstances and will have undergone appropriate training. A copy of the procedure and details of the training will be kept on file in the Church Office.

2.5 Evacuation Drills

Fire evacuation drills will be carried out every six Months at the Church. All employees and voluntary workers should ensure they are familiar with escape routes and ensure these are kept clear and unobstructed.

2.6 If You Discover a Fire - No matter how small

1 Immediately raise the alarm by making an announcement and ensure building evacuation.

2 Telephone the emergency services or ask someone to do so.

3 Check the building for occupants, provided it is safe to do so.

4 Evacuate to the designated assembly point.

5 Ensure clear access for the emergency vehicles.

6. Only attack the fire, if it is possible within your capability, using the appliances provided; you can ensure your exit route is clear; and without taking personal risk.

7. 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 rule is People before Property.

3. ELECTRICAL SAFETY - Applies to the Church & Lawnsmead Hall

1. The Church Secretary, in the Church office, will maintain a list of all our portable electrical appliances.

2. Every Quarter, plugs, cables and sockets on equipment owned by St John the Baptist Church Wonersh will be visually inspected by the Responsible Person to ensure that there are no loose connections, worn flexes or trailing leads. Any repairs required will be reported to Church Secretary for action.

3. Persons using their own portable electrical equipment on our property should ensure it is in safe and sound working order and only for their sole use.

4. 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 in accordance with the guidance contained in the HSE booklet. This booklet will be held in the Church Office. Any unsafe equipment will be disposed of in an appropriate safe manner.

5. Electrical equipment regularly used at the Church or Lawnsmead but owned by others should also be tested when our portable electrical equipment is tested. If any item should fail then it must not be used on our property.

6. Every year the Responsible Person will carry out a visual inspection of the fixed electrical installation. Any defects will be reported to the Buildings Team for action.

7. 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.

8. At intervals of not more than five years our lightning conductor system will be examined and tested by a competent specialist firm of lightning engineers.

9. 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:-

i)