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The examples below can be used to help you with your Health and Safety Policy document. There are no hard-and-fast rules and the exact document will depend on your circumstances. You can copy the text into a word processor and add to it and adjust it as needed.
Health and Safety Policy Document
General statement
We are committed to the Health, Safety and Welfare of our members of staff our volunteers and the members of the public that use our premises. Our aim is to ensure that our premises are a safe work and worship environment for all by controlling the hazards in and around our premises and the hazards caused by what we do. We aim to prevent work-related injuries and ill health.
We have completed Risk Assessments and will regularly review them. We will consult with you about Health and Safety and provide you with the information, instruction, supervision and training that we consider is necessary.
We will make sure that you are kept safe by carrying out inspections and performing health surveillance as required. We will maintain equipment and the premises and provide any Personal Protective Equipment that we consider necessary for your Health and Safety.
You are asked to help us maintain a health and safe work and worship environment by reporting hazards, accidents and dangerous occurrences. You are asked to look after the safety equipment we provide and to follow safety instructions and signs. You are reminded that you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others who use these premises
This policy will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary.
Organisation and Responsibility.
The overall responsibility for Health and Safety lies with the minister.
The following people are responsible for Health and Safety:
- Name / Responsibility
- _________________________________________
- _________________________________________
- _________________________________________
If you need any more information or have any concerns about Health and Safety, please contact one of the people above.
Members of staff and volunteers are reminded that they are responsibility of their own Health and Safety and the safety of the others in the premises.
The Church Committee will be responsible for discussing matters surrounding Health and Safety. This committee meets every three months, of which no less than 10 minutes will be devoted to Health and Safety issues. Any member of the committee should be contacted to discus and raise safety issues with this committee.
Procedures and Safety Arrangements:
Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals, identified by an orange warning symbol, will be assessed for safety using a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessment. This will be completed by the Minister and will be reviewed annually. COSHH assessments are kept in the Health and Safety Folder and near to the Chemical Stores.
No hazardous substance is to be used or stored on the premises that does not have a COSHH assessment.
Ensure that the door to the Chemical Store is always locked shut and all chemicals are correctly stored in the cupboard.
Please ensure that you follow all of the manufacturer's guidance and follow any additional information in the COSHH assessment. Ensure that you are familiar with the precautions that you might need to take in the event of an emergency involving the substance.
Electrical equipment and wiring
The electrical wiring within the building(s) will be inspected annually, or at a duration that has been suggested by the contractor performing the tests. A NICEIC contractor will perform the periodic inspection and test in accordance with BS7671 (formerly the IE Wiring Regulations).
No person is to make any alterations to the electrical installation without prior agreement from the Minister.
Portable electrical appliances will be maintained, inspected and tested routinely. This will be done annually, or at a duration that has been suggested by the contractor performing the tests.
Certificates of wiring inspections, alterations and portable appliance test records will be kept in the Health and Safety File.
Please ensure that electrical equipment is used safely, following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not overload sockets, avoid using extension leads and take care to prevent tripping hazards when laying cables.
Fire Extinguishers
The Fire Extinguishers within the premises will be periodically examined and tested as recommended by the Service Company. The Service Company will also advise on the purchase of replacement or supplemental equipment. The certificate for the inspection and test will be displayed for one year (or until the next inspection and test), after which it will be kept on file.
Fire extinguishers will be examined for damage and use monthly by the Minister.
Extinguishers must not be removed from their locations except in an emergency, or for the purposes of carrying our maintenance.
Fire extinguishers should only be used by persons competent and trained in their safe use.
First Aid
A number of first aid kits are available throughout the building and are clearly marked. If the contents of any first aid kit is used, the Minister must be informed.
Suitable trained and competent persons should only administer first aid.
First aid kits will be checked monthly by the Minister to ensure that the contents have not been used, that none of the contents have expired and that no medicines or other preparations are contained within the kit.
Risk Assessment
The Minister will identify hazards and perform a Risk Assessment. The outcome of this assessment will be recorded and kept in the Health and Safety Folder. The significant findings of this assessment will be made available to Staff and Volunteers through information, instruction and training.
Where actions are needed to reduce or eliminate risk, the Minister will decide a time scale by which the corrective actions are to be completed. This will be based on the principle of "As Low As Reasonably Practicable".
Any person discovering a hazard must inform the Minister as soon as possible. In the case of serious and immediate danger, the correct emergency procedures must be followed.
Please note that the above is provided only as a starting point for the policy. Additional details need to be added and amendments must be made to make it relevant for your Church or Place of Worship.
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