Goring Methodist Church Health & Safety Policy

Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
General Statement of Policy....................................................................................... 1
Organisation and responsibilities................................................................................ 2
Arrangements............................................................................................................... 3
General Arrangements................................................................................................ 3
Special Arrangements.................................................................................................. 4

Introduction

As a church we understand that we owe a duty of care to ensure the safety of those who visit or use our church, hall or grounds.

We also know that, where we are an employer or control premises in certain circumstances, we have to meet the requirements of health and safety law.

General Statement of Policy

It is Goring Methodist Church’s policy to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that our activities are carried out safely and do not pose a risk to the health of our employees, volunteers, church members, visitors and others who may use the church, grounds or any other building we are responsible for. This will be in accordance with good practice and any relevant statutory provisions where they apply.

The Church Council accepts its overall responsibility for this. We will ensure that adequate resources are made available to achieve this objective. Any decisions we make will have due regard for it.

We will appoint a member of the Church Council to have specific responsibility for this policy and its implementation.

We will keep health and safety matters under review at appropriate intervals. We will monitor the effectiveness of the policy, amending it where we believe it is no longer valid.

It is the duty of each employee and volunteer to exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. This policy will be brought to their attention. We will try to ensure that everyone involved with the church plays his or her part in its implementation.

Further detail about our organisation and arrangements for managing health and safety is set out in this document. A copy of it will be kept in Stewards Vestry and made available to others on request.

Signed*:

On behalf of the Church Council as agreed at a meeting on:

Date: 16/10/25

Organisation and responsibilities

The member of the Church Council with overall responsibility for implementing our policy is: Jeremy Harrison (Property Chair).

They will ensure that:

The standards set out in this policy are implemented and maintained
Any accidents are investigated, recorded and reported if necessary
Where necessary, specialist health and safety assistance is obtained
Relevant health and safety documents and records are retained
Any hazards reported to them are rectified immediately
They keep up to date on health and safety matters relevant to the church
Only competent persons carry out repairs, modifications, inspections and tests

The Trustees have day-to-day responsibility for implementing our policy. They are the members of the Church Council of Goring-by-Sea Methodist Church.

They will ensure that:

All employees and volunteers are aware of their health and safety responsibilities
Adequate precautions are taken as set out in this policy and related risk assessments
Adequate information and training is provided for those that need it
Any hazards or complaints are investigated and dealt with as soon as possible
Where defects cannot be corrected immediately, interim steps are taken to prevent danger
All accidents are reported in-line with the requirements of this policy
Advice is sought where clarification is necessary on the implementation of this policy
Set a personal example on matters of health and safety

All employees and volunteers have a responsibility to cooperate in the implementation of this policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others while on church business or premises.

They will ensure that they:

Read this policy and understand what is required of them
Complete their work taking any necessary precautions to protect themselves and others
Comply with any safety rules, operating instructions and other working procedures
Report any hazard, defect or damage, so that this might be dealt with
Warn any new employees or volunteers of known hazards
Attend any training required to enable them to carry out their duties safely
Do not undertake any repair or modification unless they are competent to do so
Report any accident
Do not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety

Arrangements

This section sets out our general arrangements for managing health and safety and dealing with specific risks.

General Arrangements

Competent Assistance

Where necessary, we will appoint someone who is competent to assist us in meeting our health and safety obligations.

Risk Assessment

We will complete risk assessments to identify what we need to do to comply with health and safety law. We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review these annually and revise if necessary.

Information and Training

We will provide any necessary information and training for our employees and volunteers in a timely manner. We will keep a record of what is provided. We will also give relevant information to contractors and self-employed people who may need this to complete their work safely.

First Aid

We will provide adequate first aid facilities including – as a minimum – a suitably stocked first aid box and a person who will take charge of the first aid arrangements. We will also provide relevant information for employees and volunteers.

Our first aid box is located in: the Stewards’ vestry, the main kitchen, and the kitchenette in the small hall.

Our person in charge of first aid arrangements is: Tony King

Accident Reporting

There will be an Accident Book alongside each first aid box. All accidents on church premises or during church activities must be recorded in the Accident Book and reported to a Steward on duty or the Group Leader. Once completed, the slip in the Accident Book must be torn off, folded, and posted in the black church letter box in order for them to be filed securely.

If necessary, we will report to the enforcing authority and keep records of certain accidents to employees, volunteers and members of the public in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

Our accident book is kept in: the Stewards’ vestry, the main kitchen, and the kitchenette in the small hall.

Monitoring

We will make periodic checks to ensure that our precautions remain effective and adequate. We will also ensure that any lifting, work or electrical equipment and church utilities are inspected as necessary to ensure that they remain safe. We will keep records of the checks we make.

Contractors

If we employ contractors, we will make sure that they have their own health and safety policy and Public and Employers Liability Insurance by asking to see copies of the relevant documents.

Record Keeping

Our Health and Safety Risk Assessments, records and other documents are kept in the Stewards’ Vestry.

Special Arrangements

Asbestos

We will take steps to identify the presence of asbestos in our buildings and, if so, assess any risk from it. We will then implement any plan to manage that risk. We will also provide relevant information to others who might need it (for example, building contractors). We will keep records of the checks, assessments and plans we have made.

Church Buildings

We will ensure that the fabric of our buildings is regularly inspected to make sure it is safe. Defects will be repaired as soon as is practicable. Where necessary, temporary measures will be taken to prevent danger until permanent repairs can be made. This will include glazing.

Grounds

We will ensure that boundary walls and gates are kept in good repair. We will have trees inspected by a competent person and have any necessary work carried out to make them safe.

Construction Work

Where maintenance, refurbishment and restoration work is planned for our church, we will identify what we need to do to ensure the safety of all those concerned before work starts. We will also determine if we have any responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and comply with these if necessary.

Display Screen Equipment

Where our employees and volunteers regularly use computers daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more, we will analyse workstations to identify precautions, implementing these as necessary. We will also provide information, training, eye/eyesight tests (on request) and special spectacles if needed.

Electricity

We will ensure that any electrical system, fixed machine and portable appliance is maintained so as to prevent danger. Any defective equipment will not be used until it is repaired or replaced. We will keep records of the checks made where appropriate.

Events

Where we intend to hold large or unusual concerts, services and fundraising events, we will identify any additional precautions that are necessary and implement these.

Fire

We will complete a specific risk assessment to identify what steps are necessary to prevent, detect and take in the event of a fire. We will record our findings, implementing any necessary precautions. We will review and revise these where we suspect that they are no longer valid.

Heating Systems

We will ensure that any oil or gas heating system is suitably maintained and checked annually by a competent person. Any defects found will be corrected immediately and we will keep records of the checks made.

Hazardous Substances

We only use domestic cleaning or horticultural products, and petrol. We will ensure that these are stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions taking any necessary precautions that are specified.

Lifting Equipment

We will ensure that any lifting equipment is properly maintained and thoroughly examined periodically by a competent person.

Manual Handling

We will avoid the need for lifting or carrying heavy objects as far as is possible. Where this is not practical, we will make use of lifting aids (such as trolleys) or other precautions including team lifting.

Oil Storage

Where we store large quantities of oil, we will take adequate precautions to ensure that oil cannot leak into the ground or any water course. This may include the provision of a double-skinned plastic tank, an adequate bund, regular checks and proper maintenance, etc.

Preparation of Food

We will ensure that on those occasions when we prepare food, we use a clean and disinfected work surface, utensils and equipment. We will store food in such a way as to avoid contamination, provide handwashing facilities and suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste.

Slips and Trips

We will implement suitable precautions to prevent slips or trips, taking account of any difficulty the frail, elderly or disabled may have in negotiating access. We will make periodic checks to ensure that floors, coverings, steps and pathways remain in good condition, free from obstruction and that any precautions (such as hand rails or lighting) remain adequate. We will correct any defects identified, keeping records of the checks we make. We will have arrangements in place to manage pathways in winter weather.

Working at Height

Where possible, we will try and avoid the need for work at height. Where this is not practicable, we will ensure that any work is properly planned to identify suitable precautions. We will make sure that these are implemented, including the provision of any training and checks to ensure the safety of any equipment used.

Work Equipment

Any work equipment (including any hand tools) we provide will be suitable, in good condition and properly maintained. Where necessary, some equipment (such as ladders) will be regularly checked to make sure they are safe. We will keep records of any checks we make.

Working Alone

We will identify circumstances where our employees and volunteers work alone, and implement suitable precautions to ensure their safety.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is designed specifically if you are new to our church and planning on visiting us on a Sunday.
It aims to give you some familiarity as to know roughly what you might expect before experiencing it. Although our friendly stewards and congregation members will be happy to help you out should you need anything.

Where and When

We meet in the first Church Building you see as you turn up the drive for our Sunday Service which starts at 10am. You could arrive 10-15 minutes before the service begins to help us to find and say hello to you.
We have onsite car parking but there is also plenty of road space to park in too should you prefer.
As you walk into the church building you will usually be greeted by a steward. They welcome you and will offer you any books or other things that can be used during the service.

Junior Church also meet in the main church participating in the first part of the service with the congregation, after which they go into the hall for their worship.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the service in the Church Hall. It is a great way to meet people. All refreshments are free, with any donations appreciated for our chosen charities for the year.

There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Stewards know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the foyer entrance for the Main Hall.

You can find our 'Welcome Pack' in church to find out further activities our church has to offer! It looks like this:
WP1

Our Service

The main service begins with a warm welcome. We then proceed with a variety of hymns and worship songs, prayers and bible readings. The preacher will give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life.

01 Worship-Together-block

Junior Church (Our Sunday school)

If you come with children then you can stay in the service throughout if you choose to do so. However, on the 1st, 2nd and 5th Sundays each month we do have a 'Junior Church' scheduled to meet together.

The Junior Church meet at 10am in the service along with the rest of the church, and then after a short period all together they break off into the Church Hall for a separate time of fun and learning.

Parents and guardians are most welcome to attend the Junior Church session along with their child/children if they wish, but there are also families whose normal is for the adults to stay in the service while their children head to the group.

After the service, the congregation tend to drift into the Church Hall to get their refreshments - where the children will be finishing their own activities and are also able to enjoy the refreshments.

Children

Getting Connected

Gatherings and fellowships

While Sundays are a great way to meet with God and with people, it is often in smaller gatherings that we can feel most comfortable. Being a part of one of our small groups could enable you to make some new good friends who not only share life together, but also support each other through life.

We have some groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out our Small Groups and see if there is one that suits you.
If you contact us directly then we may be able to help you decide where you may feel most comfortable.