HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

General Statement of Policy

This document is the Health and Safety Policy of The Village Hall, Edington

Our policy is to:

a) Provide healthy and safe working conditions, equipment and systems of work for our employee(s), volunteers, committee members and hirers.

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

c) Provide such training and information as is necessary to staff, volunteers and users.

It is the intention of Village Hall, Edington 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.

Village Hall, Edington Management Committee considers the promotion of the health and safety of its employees/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 employees, committee members and users to engage in the establishment and observance of safe working practices.

Employees, 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

The Edington Village Hall Management Committee has overall responsibility for health and safety at The Village Hall, Edington.

It is the duty of all committee members, regular users, 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, including the grounds.

Should anyone using the hall come across a fault, damage or other situation which might cause injury and cannot be rectified immediately they should complete a Damage/Defect Report, kept in the information for users file held in the kitchen and inform a member of the management committee as soon as possible so that the problem can be dealt with.

Where equipment is damaged or defective a notice should be placed on it warning that it is not to be used. If possible the object should be placed in the Store Room.

The following steps will be taken:

• The hall is to be kept in a clean and well maintained condition.

• Fire extinguishers should be serviced regularly and their position checked weekly. In addition the extinguisher levels and the presence of the air horn is checked weekly.

Fire exits must be kept clear and well-marked at all times. Records kept by the maintenance officer.

• During theatrical performances there should be designated people responsible for each fire exit.

• During other large events, the fire escapes are managed by the user and where necessary managed according to the risk assessment for that particular event

• Emergency lighting and exit lights are checked monthly. All equipment is to be kept in safe and well maintained condition. These records are kept by the maintenance Officer.

• A first aid box is supplied and a designated person is responsible for keeping it stocked.

• Clear understanding of the number of people allowed in the hall for different type of functions. This must be found on the terms and conditions.

• Guidance given to hirers in the use of equipment, care of the kitchen and displayed information given to hirers.

• Cleaners know to whom they are responsible and to whom they should report any queries.

• Nobody should use a ladder when on their own in the hall.

• If any stage lighting is required by a hirer the designated technician will be informed.

• No unauthorised persons should use the stage. All hirers are advised of this. There is a large sign by the steps to the stage.

A plan of the hall is on the wall showing the location of first aid box, fire exits, fire extinguishers, electric box, and stop cock