What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What are you already doing to control the risks?

What further action do you need to take to control the risks?

Who needs to carry out the action?

When is the action needed by?

Done

Slips, Trips and Spills

Leadership, congregation and users of the building may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages. 

Kitchen Members may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages in the kitchen area

General good housekeeping.
All areas well lit, including stairs.
No trailing leads or cables.
Keep work areas clear, eg no boxes left in corridors

Deliveries stored immediately.

Rooms cleaned at least once a week. 

Good housekeeping – work areas kept tidy, goods stored suitably etc. 

Kitchen equipment maintained to prevent leaks onto floor. 

Equipment faults leading to leaks quickly reported to leadership 

Members clean up spillages (including dry spills) immediately using suitable methods and leave the floor dry. 

Suitable cleaning materials available. 

Good lighting in all areas 

No trailing cables or obstruction in walkways. 

Steps and changes in level highlighted. 

To make sure the appropriate equipment such as floor mops (and new mop heads) are available to clear up spillages

Use a spillage kit (located in the kitchen) for any spillages such as vomit or chemical spillages.

Run cables up through the ceiling from TV screens to avoid trailing leads 

Invest in a sound desk so that all cables can run through a box on the wall and into sound desk instead of trailing.  In the meantime, tape down any loose leads to avoid trips.

Remind members to maintain good standard of housekeeping. 

Ensure suitable footwear with good grip worn by staff. 

Leadership team and Health and Safety officer

6.09.2021

Fire

If trapped, Members could suffer fatal injuries from smoke inhalation/ burns. 

Weekly fire alarm checks

Ensure the actions identified as necessary by the fire risk assessment are done. 

Fire door replaced at the bottom of the stairs

Smith Bradbeer Trust

From now on

Electrical

Members could get electrical shocks or burns from using faulty electrical equipment. 

Electrical faults can also lead to fires. 

Members trained to spot and report to Leadership team) any defective plugs, discoloured sockets or damaged cable/equipment. 

Defective equipment taken out of use safely and promptly replaced. 

Health and Safety training for members

Ask Smith Bradbeer Trust when the next electrical installation safety check is due. 

Smith Bradbeer Trust to be responsible for repairing any broken sockets or installing new electrical applicances etc.

Organisation of PAT testing of any applicances brought in and used on a regular basis e.g. toaster, fan

Smith Bradbeer Trust

Leadership team

Smith Bradbeer Trust

Smith Bradbeer Trust

18.10.2021

Stress

All members could be affected by factors such as lack of job control, bullying, not knowing their role etc. 

Members understand what their duties and responsibilities are. 

Members can talk to leadership team if they are feeling unwell or ill at ease about things they are working on for church 

‘No bullying’ policy

Remind staff they can speak confidentially to the Leadership team if they are feeling unwell or are ill at ease because of work they are undertaking at the church

Leadership team and Health and Safety Officer

Ongoing

Working at height
Filing on top shelves, putting up decorations etc 

Falls from any height can cause bruising and fractures. 

Members stand on a step ladder to reach up high e.g. putting up lights for Christmas

Internal and external windows cleaned by using a stepladder sometimes by members and at other times by contractors.

Buy appropriate stepladder and show members how to use it safely. 

Leadership team and Health and Safety Officer

March 2022

Manual handling of paper, office equipment etc 

Kitchen volunteers may suffer injuries such as strains or bruising from handling heavy/bulky objects.

Members risk injuries or back pain from handling heavy/bulky objects, eg deliveries of paper. 

Ingredients bought in package sizes that are light enough for easy handling. 

Commonly used items and heavy stock stored on shelves at waist height. 

Suitable mobile steps provided and members/volunteers are trained to use them safely. 

Handling aids provided for movement of large/heavy items. 

Sink at good height to avoid stooping. 

Staff trained in how to lift safely.

Remind members/volunteers that they should not try to lift objects that look or appear too heavy to handle. 

Ensure team working for moving heavier items (eg pots). 

Health and Safety training in lifting.

Leadership team and Health and Safety Officer

From now on

Display screen equipment 

Members risk posture problems and pain, discomfort or injuries, eg to their hands/ arms, from overuse or improper use or from poorly designed work environments. Headaches or sore eyes can also occur, eg if the lighting is poor. 

DSE training and assessments of workstation carried out by all new starters. Actions carried out asap. 

Reassessment to be carried out at any change to work feature, eg equipment, furniture or the work environment such as lighting. 

Workstation and equipment set to ensure good posture and to avoid glare and reflections on the screen. 

Work planned to include regular breaks or change of activity. 

Lighting and temperature suitably controlled. 

Noise levels controlled.

Leadership team to monitor and ensure staff continue to get breaks away from the computer. 

Check that identified actions from self- assessments are followed up ASAP. 

Tell members that they are to inform the leadership team of any pain they have that may be linked to computer use. 

Provide DSE training for those using laptops

Remind laptop users to carry out regular DSE assessment to avoid problems and identify any issues. 

Leadership team and Health and Safety Officer

Asbestos 

Asbestos- containing materials (ACMs) are present in some partition walls 

Members carrying out normal activities at very low risk. Asbestos only a risk if fibres are released into air and inhaled. Maintenance workers most at risk. 

Systems in place to inform contractors and others who might disturb the asbestos, where it is and to ensure safe working. 

Partition walls in good condition and asbestos unlikely to be disturbed during normal activities. 

‘Danger, asbestos, do not disturb’ signs posted at partition walls. 

Members told to report any accidental damage immediately. 

Condition of partition walls checked periodically. 

Find out which walls have asbestos.

Health and safety training involving asbestos

Remind members that the asbestos must not be disturbed and to report any accidental damage to the partition walls immediately. 

Leadership team and Health and Safety Officer

Planned activities

Members of the public who could be taken ill or hurt themselves

Public liability insurance in place 

Slips, trips and hazards monitored to limit any incidents that could happen

Any incidents recorded in First Aid book (located in end cupboard of library)

Do separate risk assessments before any major events or activities e.g. Holiday Bible Club

Leadership team and Health and Safety officer

Lone Working

Members could suffer injury or ill health while visiting another member under the auspices of Anchor Church

Members to let Leadership team know when visiting another member

Members check all areas, including toilets, before locking up the building at night. 

Create an IN/OUT board for people working in the building

Whereabouts of members visiting other members monitored by Leadership

Leadership team

From now on

Taking of communion

Congregation and leaders by cross contaminating food and drink

The Coronavirus could be passed on if members have not washed hands

Communion once a quarter to limit contact with food and drink

Members to ensure they wash hands as they enter the building and sit on designated chairs.

Small bread rolls placed by one person wearing gloves into separate paper bags

Red grape juice poured by one person wearing gloves into separate plastic cups that are disposable

Leader of communion to ensure they thoroughly wash hands/wear protective gloves before handling any food or wine.

Congregation to remain seated whilst one person with protective gloves brings around a tray with bags of bread and plastic cups of red grape juice around.

Nominated member of the congregation chosen by leadership team

Each time communion is commemorated – roughly once a quarter

Deciding to open to the public

Members who attend who live alone or with families

Church building is thoroughly cleaned after any major service

Hand gel and antibacterial wipes are provided around the building to enable good hand hygiene.

Update your website, A Church Near You, the local Council site and any relevant social media e.g. facebook pages

Consider if a booking system is needed, whether for general access or for specific events/services

Various members and leadership team, communication secretary

March 2022

Preparation for church opening

Members who are cleaning the building

Ensure members have thoroughly washed hands on entering the building with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds

Follow basic hygiene rules and the health and safety guidance for cleaning and emptying any waste from the building – disposing of waste double bagged.

Buildings have been aired before use.

Check for animal waste and general cleanliness.

Ensure water systems are flushed through before use.

Switch on and check electrical and heating systems if needed. Commission system checks as necessary.

Ensure safe use of ICT equipment needed – avoid exceeding safe load on sockets, cables/tripod causing trip hazard

Volunteer members and leadership team

April 2022

Access to church

Members who are key holders and the general public

All members who are key holders know the procedure for locking and unlocking and checking that no one is left in the building.

Double check locks before leaving

Members of the public to follow the one way system into the building and leave via the fire exit in the hall when church services are on

Choose one point of entry into the church to manage flow of people and indicate this with notices, keeping emergency exits available at all times. Where possible use a different exit.

Make any temporary arrangements for people to wait or queue outside the building (taking into account any consequential risks arising from people gathering outside).

Where possible, doors and windows should be opened temporarily to improve ventilation at least 5 mins every hour the building is in use.

Members encouraged to bring their own Bibles

Remove or isolate children’s resources and play areas

Walk through the church to plan for physical distancing in seats, aisles, at the altar rail, including safe flow of visitors. Remember 2m in all directions from each person (or 1m with risk mitigation if absolutely necessary).

Clearly mark out seating areas including exclusion zones to maintain distancing.

Clearly mark out flow of movement for people entering and leaving the building to maintain physical distancing requirements.

Limit access to places were the public does not need go, maybe with a temporary cordon in needed.

Determine placement of hand sanitisers available for visitors to use.

Put up notices to remind visitors about important safe practices e.g. no physical contact, practice hand washing etc.

Ensure high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes

Check that handwashing facilities have adequate soap provision and paper towels, and a bin for the paper towels.

Where there are toilet facilities, ensure an adequate supply of soap and disposable hand towels, and a bin for towels, are available.

Ensure all waste receptacles have disposable liners (e.g. polythene bin bags) to reduce the risk to those responsible for removing them.

If possible, provide safe means for worshippers and visitors to record their name and contact details; retain each day’s record for 21 days

Give due notice of the resumption of use of the building on social media so that neighbours, congregation and wider community, visitors and worshippers will know what to expect when they come.

Cleaning the church before and after use

Members who clean the building by touching chemicals or surfaces that may contain the Coronavirus

See Government guidance on COVID 19 – cleaning in a non health care setting.

If the church building has been closed for 72 hours between periods of being open then there is no need for extra cleaning to remove the virus from surfaces.

If 72-hour closure is not possible then check all cleaners are not in a vulnerable group or self-isolating.

All cleaners provided with gloves (ideally disposable).

Suitable cleaning materials provided

Confirm person responsible for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site and double bag items to be put in the skip

Leadership team

From now

Cleaning the church after known exposure

Members who offer to clean and could be infected by surfaces carrying the Coronavirus in particular

Follow the Government guidance on COVID 19 – cleaning in a non health care setting.

If possible close the church building for 72 hours with no access permitted

If 72-hour closure is not possible then follow Public Health England guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.  

If the building has been quarantined for 72 hours, then carry out cleaning as per the normal advice on cleaning.

Leadership team and volunteer members