The Parish of St Andrew & St George,
Stevenage
Health and Safety
Policy
As a church we understand that we owe a duty of care to
ensure the safety of those who visit or use our church and its environs.
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.
In particular, we know that if we are an employer having
five or more employees, we are required to have a written health and safety
policy. As such, we have drafted this policy to meet our duty under Section
2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
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 church, churchyard or any other building 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where we believe it is no longer valid.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.
Specific arrangements for managing health and safety will be
set out in suitable sub-documents which will be approved by the relevant
responsible person or persons.
The organisation and responsibilities for this policy are
given below.
This policy was approved by the PCC on 13th
September 2022.
Organisation and Responsibilities
Overall
Responsibility
A named individual will have overall responsibility for
implementing the policy. The PCC will appoint this individual and review it
annually.
The PCC appointed individual is Nigel Bozwood Davies.
This individual will ensure that:
·
The standards set out in this policy are
implemented and maintained
·
Any accidents are investigated, recorded and
reported if necessary
·
Where necessary, specialist health and safety
assistance is obtained
·
Relevant health and safety documents and records
are retained
·
Any hazards reported to them are rectified
immediately
·
They keep up to date on health and safety
matters relevant to the church
·
Only competent persons carry out repairs,
modifications, inspections and tests
·
Set a personal example on matters of health and
safety
Day-to-day
Responsibility
The churchwardens have day-to-day responsibility for
implementing our policy.
The churchwarden is Beryl Pritchard.
They will ensure that:
·
All employees and volunteers are aware of their
health and safety responsibilities
·
Where defects cannot be corrected immediately,
interim steps are taken to prevent danger
·
Adequate precautions are taken as set out in
this policy and related risk assessments
·
All accidents are reported in-line with the
requirements of this policy
·
Adequate information and training is provided
for those that need it
·
Advice is sought where clarification is
necessary on the implementation of this policy
·
Any hazards or complaints are investigated and
dealt with as soon as possible
·
Set a personal example on matters of health and
safety
Individual
Responsibility
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