Church Health & Safety Policy with guidance notes - Ecclesiastical ...

CHURCH – HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY & GUIDANCE NOTES 153 Machinery must be switched off beforeany adjustments are made4 After carrying out maintenance andadjustments, all guards must be replacedbefore the machinery is used5 Before using any item of plant ormachinery, a check must be made toensure it is in a safe working condition,correctly adjusted, and there are noloose nuts, bolts or other defects6 The appropriate personal protectiveequipment detailed below must beworn when operating any item of plantor machinery7 Persons under the age of 18 may usehand tools only and are not permittedto operate any power driven item ofplant or machinery8 Ladders may only be used when otherequipment such as tower scaffolds ormobile elevated work platforms cannotbe used and for work of short durationprovided they can be safely secured. Thismay necessitate the use of ladder ties9 Any defect and damage found to any itemof plant or machinery must be reported tothe responsible person10 All plant and machinery will be regularlymaintained and a schedule kept ofmaintenance requirements.(List all your items of plant and machineryand the rules and procedures for theiruse, including the appropriate personalprotective equipment needed. In mostcases when using machinery, boots, gloves,eye protection and overalls should beworn.) In certain situations, such as whenworking in the bell tower, head protectionand ear protection may be necessary.Other items of plant and machinery couldinclude the following: ladders,lawnmowers, strimmers, chainsaws.A form to list your plant and machinery isavailable upon request.11 Persons must not work on their ownunless they have a means ofcommunication and have notified acolleague of the details of the work beingundertaken and agreed a procedure toensure their safety is checked on12 The following items of plant and equipmentare tested by a competent person inaccordance with an inspection programme.You must detail here those items of plantand equipment that require inspection bya competent person such as an engineeringinsurance company inspector or engineer.Such items will include a font cover witha counter-balanced lifting mechanism, lifts,hoists and other lifting equipment.Item7Slips, trips and falls –condition of floors, steps and pathsIn order to reduce as far as is reasonablypracticable the risk of slips, trips and falls,an inspection will be made every(eg week, month, quarter etc.) by theresponsible person of1 all floors and stairs in the church andhall, and2 all paths and steps in the churchyard.Particular note will be made of moss,algae and leaves on paths. Any defectswill be reported towho will arrange for repairs or remedialmeasures to be carried out.Inspection arrangements