Health and Safety Policy

General Statement of Policy

Our policy is to:

·      Provide healthy and safe working conditions, equipment and systems of work for our contractors, volunteers, committee members and hirers.

·      Keep the village hall and equipment in a safe condition for all users.

·      Provide such training and information as is necessary for volunteers and users.

It is the intention of Cullingworth Village Hall Management Committee to comply with all health and safety legislation and to act positively, where it can reasonably do so, to prevent injury, ill health or any danger arising from its activities and operations.

Cullingworth Village Hall Management Committee considers the promotion of the health and safety of its volunteers and those who use its premises, including contractors, who may work there, to be of great importance. The management committee recognises that the effective prevention of accidents depends as much on a committed attitude of mind to safety as on the operation and maintenance of equipment and safe systems of work. To this end, it will seek to encourage contractors, volunteers, committee members and users to engage in the establishment and observance of safe working practices.

Contractors, volunteers, hirers and visitors will be expected to recognise that there is a duty on them to comply with the practices set out by the committee, with all safety requirements set out in the hiring agreement and with safety notices on the premises and to accept responsibility to do everything they can to prevent injury to themselves or others.

Organisation of Health and Safety

Cullingworth Village Hall Management Committee has overall responsibility for health and safety at Cullingworth Village Hall.

The people delegated by the management committee to have day to day responsibility for the implementation of this policy are:

Name: Janet Toner - Chair

Name: Sandie Millar - Booking Officer
 

Email address: Cullingworth.villagehall@gmail.com

It is the duty of all contractors, volunteers, hirers and visitors to take care of themselves and others who may be affected by their activities and to co-operate with the management committee in keeping the premises safe and healthy, free of obstacles, etc. including the grounds. Children inside the hall or outside in the grounds should be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

Should anyone using the hall come across a fault, damage or other situation which might cause injury and cannot be rectified immediately they should inform the named people above as soon as possible so that the problem can be dealt with. Where equipment is damaged, a notice should be placed on it warning that it is not to be used.

A plan of the Hall is displayed on the indoor noticeboard, showing the location of gas supply control, fire exits, fire extinguishers, fuse box or distribution board, stopcock, boiler, and loft access.

Arrangements and Procedures

Licence

The Village Hall Premises Licence is displayed on the indoor noticeboard. It details the current authorised indoor regulated entertainment and licensable activities.

Fire Precautions and Checks

Fire risk assessment and procedures are in place and the people responsible for testing and checking fire risk assessment are: Chair/Booking Officer/Housekeeper/Minutes Secretary
 

A comprehensive list of the required maintenance and safety checks is kept up-to-date by the management committee and includes details of all contractors.

Procedure in case of Accidents

The location of the nearest hospital Accident Emergency/Casualty dept. is:

Bradford Royal Infirmary or Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, Keighley.

The location and telephone number of the nearest doctor’s surgery is:

Cullingworth Medical Centre, Mill Street, Cullingworth 01535 273227

The location of the nearest defibrillator is:

Cullingworth Conservative Club, 21-23 Station Road, Cullingworth

The First Aid Box is located in: the kitchen, in a wall cupboard with first aid sign

The person responsible for keeping the First Aid Box up to date is: Housekeeper

The accident book is located in the first aid box along with accident forms which must be completed whenever an accident occurs and handed to or pointed out to a Committee member. The Management Committee will review the book and form at the time of their meetings and will take any action required: Chair/ Housekeeper

The person responsible for completing RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) forms and reporting of accidents to HSE is:

Chair

Note: The following major injuries or incidents must be reported on RIDDOR forms:

·     Fracture, other than to fingers, thumbs or toes

·     Amputation

·     Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine

·     Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)

·     Any penetrating injury to the eye (including chemical)

·     Injury from electric shock/burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

·     Any other injury leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

·      Unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to harmful substances or biological agent.

·     Acute illness requiring medical treatment or loss of consciousness arising from absorption of any substances by inhalation, ingestion or through skin.

·      Acute illness requiring medical attention which may have resulted from a biological agent or its toxins or infected material.

Safety Rules

All hirers will be expected to read the whole of the booking agreement. By proceeding with their booking hirers are agreeing to the terms and conditions of hire. All new hirers will be given information by a Trustee about health and safety procedures at the hall, which they will be expected to follow (e.g. fire evacuation procedures, use of trolleys to move equipment, use of equipment) and will be shown the location of the first aid supplies and accident book.

Hirers are responsible for detailing the fire exits, keeping spaces clear of obstacles and other relevant health and safety procedures relevant to their guests.

It is the intention of Cullingworth Village Hall Management Committee to comply with all health and safety legislation and to act positively where it can reasonably do so to prevent injury, ill health or any danger arising from its activities and operations.

Contractors, volunteers and hirers will be expected to recognise that there is a duty on them to comply with the practices set out by the committee, with all safety requirements set out in the booking agreement and with safety notices on the premises and to accept responsibility to do everything they can to prevent injury to themselves or others.

The following practices must be followed by hirers, contractors and tenants in order to minimise risks:

·     Make sure that all emergency exit doors are kept clear

·     Do not operate or touch any electrical equipment where there are signs of damage, exposure of components or water penetration etc.

·     Do not work on steps, ladders or at height until they are properly secured and another person is present or they are trained to do so.

·     Do not leave portable electrical or gas appliances operating while unattended.

·     Do not attempt to move heavy or bulky items (e.g. stacked tables or chairs) without using the trolleys provided.

·     Do not attempt to carry or tip a water boiler when it contains hot water. Leave it to cool.

·     Do not allow children in the kitchen except under close supervision (e.g. for supervised cookery lessons (Brownies)). Avoid over-crowding in the kitchen and do not allow running.

·     Report any evidence of damage to the building’s facilities or faulty equipment to the Chair or Booking Officer.

·     Report every accident in the accident book and to the Chair or Booking Officer.

·     Be aware and seek to avoid the following risks:

a)   Creating slipping hazards on polished or wet floors, mop spills immediately.

b)   Creating tripping hazards such as buggies, umbrellas, bags, mops and other items left in halls and corridors and pathways/aisles between tables and chairs.

c)   Use adequate lighting to avoid tripping in poorly lit areas.

d)   If you are the sole occupant of the building, make sure someone else knows where you are.

e)   Exercise caution when handling and operating kitchen equipment and follow the instructions for the use of the cooker, dishwasher and boiler.

f)     Do not create toppling hazards by piling equipment e.g. in store cupboards.

g)   In the event of snow/ice ensure an access path to the front door is cleared and kept gritted.

A risk assessment will be carried out annually or when there are alterations to the premises which affect risk will be updated.

Contractors

The management committee will check with contractors (including self-employed persons) before they start work that:

·      Permission from a hirer should be sought if on site when a contractor requires access and wherever possible a committee member should be in attendance.

·     The contract is clear and understood by both the contractor and the committee

·     The contractors are competent to carry out the work e.g. have appropriate qualifications, references and experience.

·     Contractors have adequate public liability insurance cover.

·     Contractors do not work alone on ladders at height (if necessary, a volunteer should be present).

·     Contractors have their own health and safety policy for their staff.

·     The contractor knows which member of the committee is responsible for overseeing that their work is as asked and to a satisfactory standard.

·     Any alterations or additions to the electrical installations or equipment must conform to the current regulations of the Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Insurance

The company providing the hall’s Employer’s Liability and Public Liability Insurance Cover:

Ansvar Insurance, Ansvar House, St Leonards Road, EASTBOURNE, East Sussex, BN21 3UR

Policy number: CCP 2253068
Date of Renewal: 28 February

Agent to use in case of queries/claims:

Norris & Fisher Insurance Brokers Ltd

34a Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers Ford, EASTLEIGH, Hampshire, SO53 5SS

Telephone: 023 8026 9009

Review of Health and Safety Policy

The Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed annually.

Committee members with responsibility for aspects of health and safety will report to the committee regularly, including any accidents, faults, misuse by hirers or other matters which could affect the health and safety of employees, volunteers or users.

Review date: February 2025