Health & Safety and Risk Assessments Policy
Health & Safety and Risk Assessments Policy
Version 3
Contents
Page Subject
1 Introduction
2 Fire Procedure
2 Fire Safety
3 First Aid
4 Safeguarding
4 Miscellaneous Risks
5 Insurance
6 Landlord Gas and Electrical Safety Certificates
7 Activity Risk Assessments
7 Events in the Chapel
7 Events in the Upper Room
8 Groups from outside the Church (supplementary conditions)
9 Appendix A – Fire Procedure
10 Appendix B – The ‘Responsible Person(s)’
11 Appendix C – Poster – Emergency 999 Calls
12 Appendix D – The duty to manage asbestos
13 Appendix E – Accessibility Audit for the Chapel
Introduction
This policy will be reviewed on a regular basis (maximum period of 24 months)
This document was last revised in August 2023, was agreed by the Trustees at their August 2023 meeting, and was accepted by the Church Members at their September 2023 meeting.
The ‘Responsible Person(s) – see Appendix B for more details – will be:
- The Chair of the Trustees (currently Roy Porter)
- Two Trustees (currently Herbert Moorhouse and Andrew Kay)
The Pastor (currently Alan Marsden) will be included in the circulation of any relevant communications between or by the ‘Responsible Person(s)’
Any queries and/or suggestions about the policy should be addressed to Andrew (Andy) Kay (Deacon/Trustee).
The Responsible Persons will be considered, for the wider purposes of this policy, to be the Policy Leads.
It is expected that the ‘Activity Risk Assessments’ will be read - and applied – by the Leaders of the relevant groups.
A copy of the policy will be maintained on the Church website. A hard copy may be requested via the Church Secretary.
Fire Procedure
The Fire Procedure (see Appendix A) will be reviewed and accepted as part and parcel of the review and acceptance of this policy. (It was previously reviewed and adopted as a separate item).
It will be displayed prominently around the Church premises and will be included on the Church website.
Fire Safety
This section is based on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, otherwise known as the Fire Safety Order.
Its purpose is to identify the expected outcomes from the Fire Risk Assessment.
Risk |
Assessment |
Fire Risk Assessment |
The Responsible Persons will ensure that a Fire Risk Assessment is carried out on a regular two-yearly basis (or, in the case of the Manse, on a change of tenancy). The document will be filed by the Church Secretary. The first Fire Risk Assessment was carried out on 30 June 2021.
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Awareness of the Fire Procedure |
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Prevention of Fire |
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Escaping from the building in the event of fire |
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Fire Marshals/Wardens |
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Fighting fires (if safe to do so) |
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Fire Extinguisher Inspection
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Testing of emergency lighting |
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Premises Inspection by the Fire Brigade |
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First Aid
Risk |
Assessment |
Prevention of Accidents: |
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First Aid |
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Recording of Accidents |
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First Aiders |
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Safeguarding
Risk |
Assessment |
Safeguarding Policy |
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Knowing what Safeguarding is |
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Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults |
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Recording Serious Incidents |
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Miscellaneous Risk
Risk |
Assessment |
Key Holders |
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Power cuts |
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Snow/Ice |
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Food and Drink |
In accordance with the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulation 2013 we have met the legal requirement to register with the Ribble Valley Borough Council Environmental Health Service. On August 12th 2021 we were issued with an "Awaiting Rating" food hygiene status. In due course, we will have a visit from Environmental Health by appointment and we will then get our food safety rating (hopefully 5*). Currently, Susan Bradshaw is our Lead for food-related issues, a responsibility which is shared with Gemma Bond and Sue Cunliffe. Agreed certification will be provided to the Church Secretary for filing/reference,
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Insurance Current Policy Number: RC01002105
Type and Coverage:
- Employers’ Liability
- Public Liability
- Products Liability
- Personal Accident
- Legal
- Trustees’ Liability
Landlord Gas and Electrical Safety Certificates
CP12 – Gas Safety Certificate
We do not have any appliances or resources of these types. This section of the Policy is, therefore, included for possible future use.
UK landlords with gas appliances and fittings – including central heating, boilers and flues – must conduct an annual safety check conducted by a Gas Safe engineer.
All permanent and portable gas appliances and flues in the property require an annual gas safety check.
Any gas appliance that we own and provide for the tenant's use is included in our legal duties
If a tenant has their own gas appliance that we have not provided, we are responsible for parts of the associated installation and pipework, but not for the appliance.
Note: This is separate from any maintenance requirements.
The engineer will check any gas appliances in the building, including heaters, cookers and boilers. They will check for gas tightness, pressure, ventilation and safety cut outs, as well as making sure all flues are safe and free from blockages.
If any appliances fail the gas safety check, we will need to have the issue fixed before our CP12 certificate can be issued. If an appliance is dangerous, the engineer will ‘condemn’ it by placing a warning sticker on the appliance and disconnecting the gas supply. This appliance will need to be removed and replaced.
If everything passes the inspection, the engineer will provide the CP12 immediately. If no-one is at the property during the inspection, they may send it to us in the post.
We must provide a gas safe certificate copy to our tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report
Landlords of privately rented accommodation must:
- Ensure national standards for electrical safety are met. These are set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671.
- Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
- Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
- Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
- Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises.
- Supply a copy of this report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
- Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
- Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
- Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
- Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.
Activity Risk Assessments
Events in the Chapel
Lead Person(s): Deacons supported by Pastor
Risk |
Assessment |
Fire Exits |
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Hazards on walkways, etc |
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Evening or dark weather |
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Toilet sanitation |
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Robbery/theft/burglary of offerings |
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Safety on the Chapel steps and stairs |
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Transport Home |
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Physical intrusion or attack on meeting attendees |
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Events in the Upper Room
Lead Person: Alan Marsden supported by Deacons, Group Leader, or Trustee Chair
Risk |
Assessment |
Fire Exits |
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Hazards on walkways, etc |
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Evening or dark weather |
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Phone for emergencies |
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DBS Accredited Person |
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Toilet sanitation |
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Use of sharp equipment, eg needles, scissors |
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Robbery/theft/burglary of offerings (Craft Group, Saturday Fellowship, Sunday Lunches, etc) |
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Safety on the Chapel steps and stairs |
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Transport Home |
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Physical intrusion or attack on meeting attendees |
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Groups from outside the Church (supplementary conditions)
Risk |
Assessment |
Safeguarding |
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Health & Safety and Risk Assessments |
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Obtain signed ‘Leader’s Declaration’; this will cover the listed commitments
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Appendix A
Salem Congregational Chapel, Martin Top
FIRE PROCEDURE –
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE
If a fire is detected or suspected:
Exit the building
Leave by the clearly marked Fire Exits. If the nearest one is blocked use an alternative route.
Fire exits are located in the following places:
2 x main Chapel Entrances, Upper Room, Lower Room
Church/Group Leaders need to be aware of the location of the exits. Leaders are especially responsible for ensuring that children, the elderly and people with limited mobility, sight or hearing vacate safely. Do not wait to collect coats or valuables. People are not replaceable.
Tackling Fire
The most important thing is to leave the building safely.
A decision to tackle the fire – or not - will normally be the responsibility of the relevant Leader(s); it is expected that common sense should prevail.
As a general rule, only use a fire extinguisher if all exits are blocked.
Fire Extinguisher equipment is clearly available in the Chapel building.
Call the Fire Brigade
Ideally, use a mobile phone; dial 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade
The address of the church is:
Salem Chapel, Martin Top, Long Lover Lane, Rimington, Clitheroe BB7 4EG
An ‘Emergency 999 Calls’ poster containing the address can be found in the outside noticeboard.
Do not re-enter the building. Do not go back for any reason. Await the Fire Brigade.
Meeting Point
The meeting point is:
The grassed area of the graveyard which is accessed via the gate to the left of the car parking area on Long Lover Lane.
Leaders and attendees should liaise to ensure that everyone has been accounted for.
This procedure was adopted by the church on 12 April 2021
APPENDIX B – The ‘Responsible Person(s)’
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 consolidated and rationalised previous fire safety legislation and reduced the number of enforcing authorities dealing with general fire safety matters.
The Order requires that the responsible person (the person having control of the building, or a degree of control) takes reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and makes sure people can safely escape if there is a fire.
Note: It is acceptable for more than one person to share the responsibilities of the ‘Responsible person’
The Order defines the ‘responsible person’ as the person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of an undertaking (for profit or not).
Their duties of the responsible person are set out in articles 8 to 22 of the Order, and include:
- Taking fire precautions to ensure the safety of employees and premises.
- Undertaking a fire risk assessment.
- Making arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures.
- Eliminating or reducing risks from dangerous substances.
- Ensuring premises are equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms; and that any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.
- Ensuring that routes to emergency exits and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times.
- Establishing appropriate procedures, including safety drills, to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to relevant persons.
- Ensuring that no relevant person has access to any area to which it is necessary to restrict access on grounds of safety, unless the person concerned has received adequate safety instruction.
- Ensuring equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
- Appointing one or more competent persons to assist them in undertaking preventive and protective measures.
- Providing information and training to the relevant people.
- Co-operating and co-ordinating with other responsible persons.
APPENDIX C
EMERGENCY
999 CALLS
Our location is:
Salem Chapel,
Martin Top,
Long Lover Lane,
Rimington,
Clitheroe
BB7 4EG
APPENDIX D – The duty to manage asbestos
Legislation
The Health and Safety Executive’s website states that the duty to manage asbestos is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises: in our case, this is the Trustees, in particular the Responsible Persons.
The revised ACOP L143 'Managing and working with asbestos' document contains updated information about the requirements to manage asbestos under Regulation 4 of CAR 2012. The information was previously available in the ACOP L127 'The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises' which has now been withdrawn.
What is the duty?
. The duty to manage asbestos is contained in Regulation 4 of the ‘Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012’. It requires the person who has the duty (ie the 'dutyholder') to:
a) take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in
b) presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
c) make, and keep up-to-date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
d) assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
e) prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
f) take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
g) periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date
h) provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them
Who has the duty?
The dutyholder is the owner of the non-domestic premises or the person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises, for example through an explicit agreement such as a tenancy agreement or contract.
The extent of the duty will depend on the nature of that agreement. In our case, the tenancy agreement for the Manse assigns that duty to the Trustees
Our current situation
An asbestos survey was completed on 7 May 2021, and all instances of possible asbestos were identified as inert, meaning that we currently do not have to maintain an asbestos register or have a plan to manage such materials.
The report satisfies items (a), (b), and (c) in the list above. Items (d), (e), (f) and (g) are currently not relevant.
With regard to item (h), it is important that, though no asbestos was found, not all areas were able to be accessed and so anyone carrying out work on the building should have the report made available to them for reference.
Authors of the Report
CMC Asbestos Surveys Limited
1, Woodside, Wheatley Lane Road. Fence, BB12 9EP
APPENDIX E – Accessibility Audit for the Chapel
The term ‘the Chapel’ at Martin Top refers to two linked structures – the main chapel building and the connected schoolroom (also known as the Upper Room).
Access to the main chapel building is via a gated flat courtyard; the building has two wide doors, both of which lead to twin swing doors; when required, the swing doors are able to be fastened open.
Inside the building, the pews are tiered, so one is almost immediately faced with stepped levels up by the pews. For people who use walking aids, the stepped levels have enough space to be negotiated, but possibly with some difficulty, depending on the aid being used..
Realistically, however, the tiering means that wheelchair access is almost impossible to achieve. If a circumstance occurs where wheelchair access is of importance, and advance warning can be given, it may be possible for it to be arranged for the front pews to be closed and for the wheelchair to be located in front of them; this would, however, still necessitate the wheelchair being lifted up one small step.
Access to the Upper Room, however, provides adequate access for wheelchair users and people with severe walking difficulties. The approach is via gates at the side of the small parking area about 50 yards up Long Lover Lane. As well as stepped access to the path, there is a ramp which may be used for wheelchair or other access.
The services are transmitted to the Upper Room, with sound and vision.
There is also access from the Upper Room to the main chapel building, but this requires the downward use of a short (four steps) staircase.