Health and Safety Policy

LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

  1. 1  The church recognises and accepts its responsibilities for providing, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy environment with a view to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all those who use the church premises.

  2. 2  The church will, therefore, take all necessary steps within its power to meet its responsibilities so far as is reasonably practicable by, among other arrangements:

  1. 2.1  maintaining the church premises in a condition that is safe and without risk to health and providing and maintaining means of access and egress that are safe and without such risks;

  2. 2.2  providing and maintaining furnishings and equipment which are safe and without risks to health;

  3. 2.3  assessing the risk to the health and safety of those who use the church premises

  4. 2.4  ensuring the safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use,

    handling, storage and transport of articles, equipment, furniture and substances;

  5. 2.5  the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is

    necessary to ensure the health and safety of those who use the church premises;

  6. 2.6  the provision and maintenance of a proper environment for the church’s

    employees, leaders, helpers and volunteers that is safe, without risks to health,

    and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare;

  7. 2.7  arranging for suitable induction programmes and training; consulting, where

    necessary, with all employees, leaders, helpers and volunteers on the

    effectiveness and implementation of this policy; and any necessary changes.

  8. 2.8  ensuring that adequate funds and resources are made available for carrying out

    this policy.

3 The church’s charity trustees have overall responsibility for health and safety.

  1. 3.1  They have given responsibility for the day to day management of this policy to

    the church’s Health and Safety Officer (Section 4).

  2. 3.2  The Charity Trustees will receive annual reviews from the H&S Officer with

    regard to the state of implementation and security of the policy. Furthermore if the H&S Officer identifies any situation which cannot be resolved or events the officer deems significant he shall notify the Chair of Trustees.(Section 5).

  3. 3.3  The special nature and arrangements for work in the life of the church includes care of children, vulnerable adults and a variety of people in situation of emotional stress. For this reason a separate policy covering freedom from social and psychological harm and abuse will be maintained by the Trustees.

4 The Health and Safety Officer will:

  1. 4.1  carry out appropriate risk assessments (these to be reviewed annually) of the

    church’s premises and activities and report to the church’s charity trustees as

    necessary;

  2. 4.2  co-ordinate the implementation of the church’s Health and Safety Policy

  3. 4.3  upkeep of the inspection documentation regarding Regulatory Reform Fire Safety

    Order 2006. Ensure all relevant procedures are carried out.

  4. 4.4  carry out investigations of any accidents and recommend measures for

    preventing their recurrence;

  1. 4.5  ensure that accident and other appropriate records are maintained and returned to the appropriate bodies;

  2. 4.6  ensure that all appropriate arrangements are made to provide for first aid;

  3. 4.7  ensure that all food safety legislation is complied with;

  4. 4.8  arrange safety training courses, as may be necessary or desirable, so that specific legal requirements are adhered to and that any changes in such requirements are complied with and communicated to employees, leaders, helpers and volunteers as necessary;

  5. 4.9  ensure that, where necessary, all relevant safety regulations are prominently displayed, that all emergency procedure notices are properly exhibited and clearly visible at all times;

5. The following resources and departments will be used by the Health & Safety Officer to ensure the implementation of the Policy.

  1. 5.1  The primary responsibility for the maintenance of the physical resources of the premises is placed upon the Financial Resources Team Leader (Trustee) and the Fabrics Group which will have the capacity to undertake minor works and sub-contract specialist or major works.

  2. 5.2  The primary responsibility for oversight of employed staff is placed on the Chairman of the Trustees who will with the support of others ensure that Employment procedures include the commitment and induction of all staff in Health & Safety issues.

  3. 5.3  The primary responsibility for oversight of all catering related activities will be the responsibility of the Leader (Trustee) with oversight of the Luncheon Club where adequate expertise and documentation shall be maintained.

  4. 5.4  The primary responsibility for public Assembly related activities including Youth Activities shall be the responsibility of the Leader of the Ministry Team (Trustee).

  5. 5.5  Each Leader (Trustee) will also accept responsibility for the range of activities including volunteers in their remit and, in consultation with the Health & Safety officer as necessary maintain an awareness of risks and precautions associated with those activities including all the volunteers involved, their appropriate induction and commitment to Health & Safety.

  1. 6.0  All volunteers, ministers, employees, leaders, and helpers will:

  2. 6.1  take reasonable care of their health and safety, and of the health and safety of

    other persons who may be affected by a person’s act or omissions while working

    or helping.

  3. 6.2  as regards any duty or requirement imposed on the church or any person by or

    under any of the relevant statutory provisions, co-operate with the church so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with;

  4. 6.3  ensure that they shall not intentionally or recklessly either interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health, safety or welfare, in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions;

  5. 6.4  make themselves familiar with and conform to the Health and Safety Policy of the church at all times;

  1. 6.5  observe all safety rules, procedures, and codes of practice at all times, and in particular be fully conversant with the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire or any other emergency;

  2. 6.6  conform to all the food safety regulations that are applicable to themselves;

  3. 6.7  co-operate with the church to enable it to carry out the duties and requirements

    under the provisions of all health and safety legislation, including participating in

    any initial or other training if called upon to do so;

  4. 6.8  report to the church’s Health and Safety Officer all accidents or hazardous

    occurrences or dangers whether persons are injured or not as soon as is

    reasonably practicable;

  5. 6.9  ensure that all working equipment and materials used by them are in a safe and

    serviceable condition and that no cables or wires are left in such a position as to

    be likely to cause anyone to trip or create a fire hazard.

5.10 have regard to the possible consequences of their actions on the health, safety

and welfare of all those persons who at any time and for whatever purpose may or will use the church premises.

This policy statement was adopted by a resolution of a Leaders (Trustees) Meeting dated 4th October 2010

Procedural Guidelines Detail the activities safeguarded through the above policy but may be varied by the responsible officers without higher sanction to achieve the underlying policy commitment.