Buckingham Parish Church
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
GENERAL STATEMENT
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 the 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 or use the church and any associated buildings.
The
allocation of duties for the safety matters and the particular arrangements
which we will make to implement the policy, are set out separately.
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 by 30th
June each year, 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.
ORGANISATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Responsibility of the Rector
Overall
responsibility for health and safety is that of the Rector who will ensure that the 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.
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 and Deputy Wardens
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 Officer
The
Health & Safety Offcer carries the responsibility for the day to day
implementation of the arrangements outlined in this policy:-
The responsibility of the
Health & Safety Officer shall be to:
1. be familiar with the 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 buildings, are clean and
tidy
5. ensure that any necessary safety equipment
and clothing is provided and
used by all personnel where this is
required
6. ensure that all plant, equipment and tools are properly
maintained and in
good condition and that all operators
have received the appropriate training
7. ensure that adequate access and egress is
maintained
8. ensure adequate fire fighting equipment is
available and maintained
9. 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 the 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. Responsible Persons
A list of persons responsible for various activities is kept
in the H&S File in the
Church Office.
A First Aid Box is located on the
marked windowsill in the North Aisle, adjacent to the kitchen. There is also a box of blue plasters (for food
preparation) on the marked windowsill in the kitchen
A list of qualified First Aiders is kept in the H&S file in
the church Office.
The accident book is located inside
the First Aid Box.
All accidents and incidents,
however minor, are to be entered in the accident book or on an accident report
form and where necessary, our insurers advised.
Accident books and accident records
are regularly reviewed on a weekly basis.
Further details on Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) are to be found in the H&S file in the Church Office.
If the building or any part
thereof, is let to outside organisations, they are told in writing that
in the event of an accident, details must be entered in the accident book.
2. GENERAL FIRE SAFETY
In order to fulfil our obligations
under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (amended 1999) we
undertake the following:
i) An assessment
of the fire risks is carried out either as a specific exercise or as part of
the general Health &Safety risk assessment.
ii) A
check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be
warned.
iii) A
check that people can get out safely, including emergency lighting.
iv) To
provide reasonable fire-fighting equipment.
v) A
check that occupants know what to do in case of fire.
vi) A
regular check that the fire-fighting equipment is in place, serviceable, and
that there is an annual maintenance contract in place with a reputable company.
2.1 Fire Extinguishers
Are kept in the following locations
Location Type
Kitchen CO2
Office Water
Pulpit area Water
Tower Room Foyer Water
First Floor Landing Water
South Room (First Floor) Water
Boiler room
The extinguishers noted above are
checked every week by the Churchwardens to ensure that they are still in
place and have not been discharged.
The extinguishers noted above are
checked annually.
2.2 Other Fire Protection Equipment
A Fire blanket is kept in the
kitchen.
2.3 Evacuation Procedures
For large services and concerts,
where the congregation/audience exceeds that of a Sunday Service, our
procedures for stewarding/evacuation are detailed below.
i)
All designated fire doors must
be unlocked before the service/event
commences
and be clearly marked as fire exits using the “Running Man” symbol.
ii)
A check must be made to ensure
that all doors can be opened.
iii)
A named steward must be
allotted to each door and have responsibility for persons in a specific part of
the church.
Area
of Church Exit
Doors
Main
body of Church South
door
Tower
room Tower
Door
Upper
rooms Tower
Door
Ringing
Chamber Tower
Door
iv)
Responsibility for using each
extinguisher will be allotted to named and trained stewards.
v) Where
emergency lighting is not available, torches must be available for each
steward.
vi)
In the event of an emergency,
an announcement to evacuate the building will be made by the Activity Leader
vii)
Persons will assemble on the grass outside the South Door
viii)
The emergency services
will be contacted immediately by a nominated person using the telephone located
in the Office
ix)
If there is no telephone
available in the immediate vicinity, a mobile phone will be held by the
Churchwardens.
2.4 Evacuation Drills
Fire evacuation drills will be
carried out annually when Junior Church is in operation. All employees and
voluntary workers should ensure they are familiar with escape routes and ensure
these are kept clear and unobstructed.
2.5 If You Discover a Fire (no
matter how small)
i) Immediately raise the alarm.
ii) Telephone the emergency services.
iii) Check the building for occupants.
iv) Attack the fire, if possible, within your
capability using the appliance provided, but without taking personal risk.
v) If it is 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 general rule is People before Property.
vi) Evacuate to
the designated assembly point.
vii) Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles.
3. ELECTRICAL SAFETY
i)
A list of all portable
electrical appliances is maintained by a Responsible Person and is kept
in the H&S File in the Church Office.
ii)
Every quarter plugs,
cables and sockets will be inspected by a Responsible Person to
ensure that there are no loose connections, worn flexes or trailing leads. Any repairs needed will be reported to the
Churchwardens for action.
iii)
Every year all our portable
electrical equipment will be tested by a competent contractor (who is a
member of NICEIC, ECA or other approved body) to ensure that all appliances
are safe. Any unsafe equipment will be
safely disposed of.
iv)
Every quarter a visual
inspection will be carried out of the fixed electrical installation by a Responsible
Person. Any defects will be
reported to the Churchwardens for action.
v)
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.
vi)
At intervals of not more than
five years our lightning conductor system will be examined and tested by a
competent firm of engineers.
vii)
It is our policy not to sell
any second hand electrical goods unless they have been inspected by a suitably
qualified person, and a register of such equipment is maintained.
viii)
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:-
a)
Visually check all electrical equipment before use.
b)
Report all faults immediately to the Churchwardens
c) Do
not attempt to use or repair faulty equipment.
d) 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.
e)
Electrical equipment should be switched off and disconnected when not in use
for long periods.
f)
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
Gas equipment will be maintained
and checked annually by a competent contractor who is a CORGI registered gas
installer. Any necessary work which is
required for safety is implemented immediately.
5. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
The Churchwardens will
maintain a list of all hazardous substances used on the church premises.
Where at all 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, Extremely Flammable, Explosive,
Oxidising or Dangerous for the Environment”, product information provided by
the manufacturers is used to determine the correct method of use, any
protective clothing needed, method of storage, and action to take in the event
of an accident.
A list of these is kept in the
H&S file in the Church Office.
Any Chemicals must not be mixed.
Any Chemicals must only be stored
in the original marked containers.
6. SAFETY OF PLANT &
MACHINERY
The Churchwardens will
maintain a list of all items 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 use.
3. Machinery must be switched off before any adjustments are
made.
4. After carrying out any 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.(eg head
protection when working in the Bell Chamber)
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 they can be safely
secured. This may necessitate the use of
ladder ties or two-person operation.
9. Any defect and damage found to any item of plant or
machinery must be reported to the Churchwardens
10. All plant and machinery will be regularly maintained and a
schedule kept of maintenance requirements.
In certain situations, such
as working in the Bell Tower, head protection and ear protection may be
necessary.
The following items of plant
and equipment are tested by a competent person
in accordance with an inspection programme.
Item Inspection
Arrangement
Counter-balanced Font Cover tba
Chair Lift tba
7. SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS (Condition of floors, steps and paths)
In order to reduce as far as
reasonably practicable the risk of slips, trips and falls, an inspection will be
made every week by the Churchwardens, of all floors and stairs in the
church buildings (including out buildings) and all paths and steps
outside. Particular note will be made
of moss, algae and leaves on paths. Any
defects will be noted and the necessary arrangements made for repairs to be
carried out.
8. LIGHTING
In order to ensure that the church
is adequately lit, an inspection will be made every week by the Churchwardens
to ensure that all lights in the church buildings (including out buildings) are
working. They will ensure that the
bulbs are replaced and that the safety procedures for the replacement of bulbs
is followed.
9. WORKING AT HIGH LEVELS
Only delegated persons may work at high level.
Only the following work is
authorised without special agreement:
Replacing
light bulbs
Erecting
banners etc
Loft
access
Emergency
Window repairs
Clearing
gutters
At least two people will be
involved in any one of the above at all times.
10. PREPARATION OF FOOD
11. MANUAL HANDLING (lifting, carrying and moving loads)
Moving chairs Manual As many as possible
Mechanical Stair
lift
Manual 1 Trolley
Moving nave altar Manual At least 2
Moving communion rail Manual 2
Moving communion rail kneelers Manual 2
Moving piano Manual At least 2
Changing altar frontals Manual 1
12. DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
Our policy is to assess the risks
to all habitual users of computer work stations and to reduce those risks to
the lowest level possible. The
following factors will be considered when carrying out risk assessments:-
1.
Stability and legibility of
screen
2.
Contrast and brightness of
screen
3.
Tilt and swivel of screen
4.
Suitability of keyboards,
desks and chairs
5.
The work station environment
6.
The user friendliness of
software
Daily work routines will involve
periods away from the screen
Where necessary, risk assessments
will be carried out by the Office Staff.
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 every week by the Churchwardens
2 Any defects are noted immediately 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. A check is made of all glazing in the
building to ensure that any glass in
windows
below waist height and in doors and beside doors below shoulder height is of
safety material or is protected against breakage.
14. CHILD PROTECTION
The church has
a separate Child
Protection Policy
A statement upholding our
procedures will be made at each annual church meeting and be suitably recorded.
A permanent record will be
maintained of all accidents involving children.
15. PERSONAL SAFETY
Risk assessments will be undertaken at regular intervals in order
to assess risks to personal safety.
16. ACTIVITIES AND OTHER AREAS
WHERE PROCEDURES MAY BE NEEDED
17. RISK ASSESSMENTS
Risk assessments will be carried
out on all areas of the church premises and all activities that carry a
significant risk at regular intervals by a competent person in order to meet
our obligations under The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations
1999.
18. CONTRACTORS
Anyone entering church premises for
the purpose 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:-
The Churchwardens will ensure
that the necessary arrangements are put in hand under The Construction (Design
& Management) Regulations.