church health and safety
Appoint a health and safety sub-committee
Places of worship are not exempt from health and safety legislation. HSA Officers still enforce health and safety legislation in places of worship under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
What should churches do?
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 imposes a duty on people who have control of premises to ensure that the premises, means of access and any plant or substance in the premises, are safe and without risk to health.
A good starting point for all churches would be to appoint a health and safety sub-committee including a member with specific responsibility for health and safety. We also recommend that churches work through the self-assessment form How safe is your church and church hall? please contact us on 01 662 4933 for details.
What help is available?
Ecclesiasticals Insurance Surveyors conduct can show you how to draw up a safety statement and undertake a risk assessment.
We can also offer advice to individual churches with particular health and safety issues.
