Health & Safety Policy

Who We Are

Saint Mark’s Church, Homesteads Road, Kempshott, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 5LQ

Immanuel Church, Danebury Road, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 4US

As a church we understand that we owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of those who visit or use our church buildings with their associated rooms and grounds. We also know that, because we are also an employer, we have to meet the requirements of health and safety law.

In particular, we know that if we employ five or more employees, we are required to have a written health and safety policy. Although  currently  we have less than five employees we have drafted this policy to meet our duty under Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

We believe that our church buildings and grounds present a comparatively low-risk environment with  less than five employees, but with many volunteers. This document reflects the arrangements required and hazards encountered here.

The policy and arrangements have been based on a template from www.ecclesiastical.com/healthandsafety

We also understand that guidance prepared by the Health and Safety Executive is available at www.hse.gov.uk

 

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. 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 We will monitor the effectiveness of the policy, amending it where we believe it is no longer valid.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. A copy of it will be kept in the church and made available to others on request.

 Signed*

*on behalf of the Parochial Church Council as agreed at a meeting on the date below

Date 12th June 2025

Implementation

The PCC has overall accountability for implementing our policy.

The responsibility for all practical aspects of policy implementation is delegated to the Premises Committee

They 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;
• They set a personal example on matters of health and safety.

The Churchwardens have day-to-day responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of our policy, as implemented by the Premises Committee, where appropriate.

 The Churchwardens’ names are found on the church website at www.parishofbasingstokedown.org.uk and through the Parish Office.

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;
• They set a personal example on matters of health and safety.

Your responsibilities

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 and dealing with specific risks.

General Arrangements

Competent Assistance

Where necessary, we will appoint someone who is competent to assist us in meeting our health and safety obligations. Where an appointment is made, we will record the details here.

Our person appointed to assist us is the Chairperson of the Premises Committee.

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.

Church Specific Arrangements

Saint Mark’s Church	Immanuel Church
First Aid We will provide adequate first aid facilities including – as a minimum – a suitably stocked first aid box and a person who will take charge of the first aid arrangements. We will also provide relevant information for employees and volunteers	First Aid We will provide adequate first aid facilities including – as a minimum – a suitably stocked first aid box and a person who will take charge of the first aid arrangements. We will also provide relevant information for employees and volunteers
Our first aid box is located in the kitchen	Our first aid box is located in the kitchen
Our person in charge of first aid arrangements is the Parish Administrator	Our person in charge of first aid arrangements is the Parish Administrator
Accident reporting We will keep an accident book 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	Accident reporting We will keep an accident book 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
Our accident book is kept in the kitchen	Our accident book is kept in the kitchen
Monitoring We will make periodic checks to ensure our precautions remain effective. We will also ensure that any lifting, work or electrical equipment and church utilities and trees are inspected as necessary to ensure that they remain safe. We will keep records of the checks we make.	Monitoring We will make periodic checks to ensure our precautions remain effective.
Contractors If we employ contractors, we make sure that they have their own health & safety policy and Employers Public Liabilities Insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents	Contractors If we employ contractors, we make sure that they have their own health & safety policy and Employers Public Liabilities Insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents
Record Keeping Our Health & Safety Risk Assessments, records and other documents are kept in the church office	Record Keeping Our Health & Safety Risk Assessments, records and other documents are kept in the safe in the office

Approved by the PCC on 12th June 2025 – next renewal date June 2026