Churches are not exempt from health and safety legislation. Local Authority (Buckinghamshire Council) Environmental Health Officers are specifically charged with enforcing health and safety legislation in churches.
The Health and Safety Executive have advised that it is good practice for volunteers to be provided with the same level of health and safety training and protection as if they were employees. This means that churches should follow the same regulations to ensure the health and safety of volunteers and other persons (membership) using the church as if they were employees.
The law only requires those who employ five or more people to have a written health and safety policy. However, ACBC are required to make adequate arrangements for health and safety and the easiest way to do this is to set the requirements in writing.
ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID
The First Aid boxes are located in the Upper Room and Kitchen.
Trained/qualified first aiders: Jo Drury and Tina Gibbs
The accident book is located in the Kitchen.
All accidents and incidents are entered on an Accident report form and our insurers advised as required. They should then be given to Nick Harries (Minister) or Gill Brownell (Health and Safety Officer).
Children’s Clubs: Allsorts and Noah’s to keep their own accident book.
All accident reports are to be kept in a secure locked cabinet in the upper room.
Outside organisations that use the church premises, are advised that all accident details must be entered in a separate book kept for this purpose.
FIRE SAFETY
Our policy is to fulfil our obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In order to achieve this, we undertake the following:
- Fire risk assessments
- Relevant EXIT signage
- Provision of firefighting equipment, and regular servicing
- Suitable information for occupants’ safety
Fire Extinguishers
- Fire extinguishers are kept in the identified locations and checked annually
- Flammable liquids are to be stored (where possible) in the shed
Suitable firefighting and evacuation procedures
- Raise the alarm and telephone the emergency services immediately
- Evacuate to beyond church wall and check buildings are empty of personnel
- Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
- A list of PAT tested appliances available
- A five-year electrical check inspection in place with an action plan for repairs prioritised
GAS EQUIPMENT SAFETY
The gas boilers and any other gas equipment is maintained and checked annually by a competent Gas Safe contractor. Any repairs are carried out immediately.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
The responsible person will maintain a list of any hazardous substances used throughout the church premises and their relevant storage and use.
SAFETY OF PLANT AND MACHINERY
The responsible person will maintain a list of all items of plant and machinery and ensure that relevant safety practices and procedures are complied with. Any defect and damage found to any item of plant or machinery must be reported to the responsible person.
Lighting
In order to ensure that the church is adequately lit, an inspection will be made annually by the responsible person to ensure that all lights in the church premises are working. Any bulbs that require replacing will be reported to the responsible person who will ensure that the bulbs are replaced following appropriate safety procedures.
Working at high levels
The following areas are designated as high levels:
- Church light fittings
- Balcony clock settings
- Front face of church
- Hall light fittings
Only approved contractors, competent volunteers and named individuals may work at high level.
PREPARATION OF FOOD
ACBC will ensure that we comply with the appropriate regulations governing the preparation and storage of foodstuffs. This includes training for any food handlers. Food stuffs may only be prepared in the kitchen.
Only competent persons may prepare and serve foodstuffs. ACBC will ensure that all hirers who wish to provide foodstuffs are advised of the facilities and procedures.
HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS / GLAZING
The ACBC buildings are regularly checked for maintenance defects, and measures put in place for remediation.
All persons share responsibility for reporting noted issues to the Property Secretary. A check is made of any asbestos in the building by a competent person noting its location, type and condition. Where necessary, asbestos will be removed by a licensed contractor. Information regarding any asbestos remaining in the building is given to all contractors and anyone else who may be affected.
At ACBC we believe there is no asbestos – the roof insulation project entailed a detailed examination of all likely voids and no asbestos was found to be present.
A check is made of all glazing in the buildings to ensure that any glass in windows below waist height and in doors and beside doors below shoulder height is of a safety material or is protected against breakage.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Risk assessments need to be established covering topics such as lone working, vulnerable adults / children, and high level working in order to meet our obligations under Health and Safety at Work Regulations. A guidance note concerning personal safety is available from Baptist Insurance.
CONTRACTORS
Anyone entering church premises for the purposes of carrying out repairs and maintenance will have their own health and safety policy (where required by law) and be able to provide a copy of the same.
A contractor who is carrying out repairs and maintenance will produce evidence that they have appropriate Public and Employers’ Liability insurance in place.
All contractors carrying out repairs and maintenance will be given detailed instructions regarding the areas where they are permitted to work and the extent of the work they are authorised to undertake. This ‘permit to work’ will also specify any safety precautions they must undertake.
Particular care needs to be taken for ‘hot works’ and a separate Hot work permit is available from Baptist Insurance.
Bouncy Castles will only be used as agreed by the Leadership Team at ACBC.
INFORMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Environmental Health Service Information:
Buckinghamshire Council, Environmental Department.
Health and Safety Executive Information Line: 0300 003 1747
HSE Books: 01787 881165
HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW POSTER
A copy of the latest HSE poster ‘Health and Safety Law is on display in the church hall.
To be reviewed January 2028