Download a signed pdf copy of our policy here:
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Benwell and Scotswood Team Parish ( St James Benwell, St John’s Benwell, St Margarets Scotswood, The Venerable Bede Benwell)
Contact: Parish Administrator
As a church, we understand that we owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of those who visit or use our churches, halls or churchyards.
We also know that, where we are an employer or control premises in certain circumstances, we have to meet the requirements of health and safety law.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
Our policy is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that our activities are carried out safely and do not pose a risk to the health of our employees, volunteers, congregation, visitors and others who may use the churches, churchyard or any other buildings we are responsible for. This will be in accordance with good practice and any relevant statutory provisions where they apply.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) accepts its overall responsibility for this. We will ensure that adequate resources are made available to achieve this objective. Any decisions we make will have due regard for it.
We will appoint a member of the PCC to have specific responsibility for this policy and its implementation. We will keep health and safety matters under review at appropriate intervals. We will monitor the effectiveness of the policy, amending it where we believe it is no longer valid.
It is the duty of each employee and volunteer to exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. This policy will be brought to their attention. We will try to ensure that everyone involved with the church plays his or her part in its implementation.
Further detail about our organisation and arrangements for managing health and safety is set out in this document. Copies of it will be kept in our churches and made available to others on request.
ORGANISATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The member of the PCC with overall responsibility for implementing our policy is:
They will ensure that:
- The standards set out in this policy are implemented and maintained
- Where necessary, specialist health and safety assistance is obtained
- Any hazards reported to them are rectified immediately
- Only competent persons carry out repairs, modifications, inspections and tests
- Any accidents are investigated, recorded and reported if necessary
- Relevant health and safety documents and records are retained
- They keep up to date on health and safety matters relevant to the church
- Set a personal example on matters of health and safety.
2. The Churchwardens have day-to-day responsibility for implementing our policy.
They will ensure that:
- All employees and volunteers are aware of their health and safety responsibilities
- Adequate precautions are taken as set out in this policy and related risk assessments
- Adequate information and training are provided for those that need it
- Any hazards or complaints are investigated and dealt with as soon as possible
- Where defects cannot be corrected immediately, interim steps are taken to prevent danger
- All accidents are reported in-line with the requirements of this policy
- Advice is sought where clarification is necessary on the implementation of this policy
- Set a personal example on matters of health and safety.
3. All employees and volunteers have a responsibility to cooperate in the implementation of this policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others while on church business or premises.
They will ensure that they:
- Read this policy and understand what is required of them
- Complete their work taking any necessary precautions to protect themselves and others
- Comply with any safety rules, operating instructions and other working procedures
- Report any hazard, defect or damage, so that this might be dealt with
- Warn any new employees or volunteers of known hazards
- Attend any training required to enable them to carry out their duties safely
- Do not undertake any repair or modification unless they are competent to do so
- Report any accident
- Do not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
ARRANGEMENTS
This section sets out our general arrangements for managing health and safety.
RISK ASSESSMENT
We will complete risk assessments to identify what we need to do to comply with health and safety law. We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review and revise these where we suspect that they are no longer valid.
INFORMATION AND TRAINING
We will provide any necessary information and training for our employees and volunteers in a timely manner. We will keep a record of what is provided. We will also give relevant information to contractors and self-employed people who may need this to complete their work safely.
FIRST AID
We will provide adequate first aid facilities including – as a minimum – a suitably stocked first aid box in all buildings and a person who will take charge of the first aid arrangements. We will also provide relevant information for employees and volunteers.
ACCIDENT REPORTING
We will keep an accident book in each church building and record details therein. We will report to the enforcing authority and keep records of certain accidents to employees, volunteers and members of the public in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
MONITORING
We will make periodic checks to ensure that our precautions remain effective and adequate. We will also ensure that any lifting, work or electrical equipment and church utilities are inspected as necessary to ensure that they remain safe. We will keep records of the checks we make.
CONTRACTORS
If we employ contractors, we make sure that they have their own health & safety policy and Public and Employers Liability insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents.
Signed on behalf of Benwell and Scotswood Team PCC, 19th May 2024
The Revd Christopher Minchin
Team Vicar for Mission
Vice-Chair, Benwell and Scotswood PCC