Health & Safety Policy

Introduction

Wellingore Hall Management Committee has overall responsibility for health and safety and for ensuring that it fulfils all its legal responsibilities. It recognises that it is the duty of Committee members and volunteers to uphold this policy and to provide the necessary funds and resources to put it into practice.

The Management Committee is committed to ensuring that all its activities are safe and it will do whatever it can to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all volunteers, members, visitors and users of the hall. It will ensure that all risks to volunteers, members, visitors and users are managed and to minimise risks at all times.

It will observe the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all relevant regulations and codes of practice made under it. 

This policy will be reviewed regularly by the management committee. 

 

Responsibilities

The Committee member responsible for the implementation and monitoring of health and safety policies and recommending changes where necessary is Mike Powell.

All accidents or unsafe incidents will be investigated by Mike on behalf of the Committee as soon as possible and then to be reported to the committee at the next available committee meeting.

 

The Committee is responsible for

• Assessing the risk to the health and safety of volunteers, members, visitors and users of the Hall and identifying what measures are needed to comply with its health and safety obligations;

• Ensuring that the venue is safe and without risk to health including fire exits that are clearly signed and unobstructed.

• Ensuring that any equipment is safe and well maintained;

• Providing information, instruction, training and supervision to volunteers in safe working methods and procedures as required;

• Encouraging volunteers and members to co-operate in ensuring safe and healthy conditions and systems by effective joint consultation

• Establishing emergency procedures as required.

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Hirers & Users

Anyone who uses the Hall whether regular groups or occasional hirer, should familiarise themselves with

• Fire exits, first aid facilities, and emergency procedures.

• Use facilities and equipment safely and responsibly.

• Report hazards, near-misses or incidents to the Committee

• User groups and Hirers should undertake a risk assessment for any activity or event they are using the hall for. 

• Risk assessments should be conducted for:

• Slips, trips and falls.

• Electrical safety.

• Fire safety.

• Manual handling (e.g. chairs, tables).

• Use of kitchen facilities.

 

Volunteer Responsibilities

All Volunteers will ensure that:

• They are aware of the contents of this safety policy

• They comply with this policy

• They take care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions or omissions

• They will report all accidents, or unsafe situations, and any near misses (things which could have led to an accident), to the health & safety officer or another Committee member at once.

• They record accidents or near misses at the hall in the accident book kept in the kitchen.

• They are aware of all fire procedures for the Hall or particular area in which they are working, e.g. the kitchen.

• If they identify anything which they think could be in any way unsafe, they will report it.

 

Risk Assessments

The responsible committee member will ensure that all premises and tasks are assessed in line with the current relevant legislation. Assessments will be repeated when there is:

• An event to organise

• Any change in legislation

• Significant changes to the premises

• Any other matter considered by the Committee that requires an assessment

or any other reason which makes original assessment not valid.

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Fire Safety

• Smoke alarms and extinguishers are installed and tested regularly.

• Fire exits are clearly marked and must be kept clear at all times.

• A fire evacuation plan is displayed prominently.

• A fire drill will be conducted annually.

• Hirers are responsible for familiarising themselves with fire procedures and ensuring safe evacuation during events.

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First Aid and Accident Reporting

• A First Aid Kit is located in the kitchen.

• Emergency contact numbers and procedures are displayed on the notice board in The John Randall Room.

• Accidents must be recorded in the Accident Book located in the kitchen.

• Serious incidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Officer.

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Maintenance and Equipment Safety

• Regular inspections of the premises will be carried out.

• Regular testing of the fire alarm system will be carried out.

• Electrical equipment is PAT tested annually.

• Any faulty equipment must be reported and taken out of use immediately.

• Gas appliances are checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

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Training

To comply with legislation and to promote the health, safety and welfare of volunteers, health and safety training will be provided as follows:

• at inductions

• on the introduction of new technology

• when changes are made to the venue

• when training needs are identified during risk assessments.

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Resolving health and safety problems

Any volunteer with a health and safety concern must first tell the responsible Committee member.

If, after investigation, the problem is not corrected in a reasonable time, or the responsible committee member decides that no action is required but the volunteer is not satisfied with this, the volunteer may then refer the matter to the management committee chairperson. This must be in writing.

If the volunteer is still dissatisfied, the matter will be entered on the agenda for the next meeting of the Management Committee.

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Monitoring and Review

This policy and all associated risk assessments will be reviewed regularly.

Feedback from users and lessons learned from incidents will inform policy updates.