Health and Safety

Information to help PCCs ensure that the buildings and the people using them are kept safe

The incumbent and PCC are responsible for keeping their church and churchyard safe for church members and visitors.  Achieving this needn't be burdensome: it simply requires PCCs to think things through in a logical way. Some practical points include:

  • Do follow published guidance on fire safety and means of escape
  • Consider all floor level changes and steps (including around fonts)
  • Review ladder access (including to clocks)
  • Don't ignore long-recognised hazards - you have a duty of care to visitors
  • Prominently display your church postcode to assist with calls to emergency services
  • Prominently display details of church officers to contact in an emergency
  • Don't go overboard! Commercial safety standards are often unreasonable to implement in a historic building. Your church church architect can advise you on what's appropriate.

Risk assessment

There's no simple, standard format for risk assessments: PCCs must identify and address the risks relevant to their particular church and churchyard.  The increasing emphasis on wider community use of churches will bring in people who are not familiar with church buildings and associated risks, so PCCs need to be alert. 

Further guidance

General

Risk Assessments

Fire

Electrics

Using ladders

Churchyards

Other

 

Page last updated: Wednesday 26th October 2022 8:31 AM
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