Health & Safety Policy, Procedures and Risk Assessment. (Ver. 03.11.17)
Introduction.
The Marden House Centre exists to serve the Community –“ in the Community, for the Community and by the Community”. None of the Trustees take any form of remuneration for their duties.
The Marden House Centre Trustees (MHCT) take the matter of Health and Safety very seriously, both in respect of those who are employed (on a contractual or voluntary basis) to work for the Trustees, and those who use the premises for their respective activities. To reciprocate, we expect ‘employees’ and ‘users’ to exercise the same level of judgement and care.
There are two important elements of information about which the Users, Employees and the Trustees need to be aware:
FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES, THE POSTCODE FOR MARDEN HOUSE IS: SN11 0JJ
DEFINITIONS.
Marden House – means the building generically known as The Marden House Centre, all the rooms contained therein (including The Mill Race), the gardens, terracing and stages outside and the gates and pathways as seen.
The Marden House Centre Trustees (MHCT) – means the body designed to run and manage the business of renting, maintaining and generally overseeing the business that is Marden House. Within this clause, will also fall any other body which is delegated to act on behalf of the MHCT no matter what nomenclature is used.
Terms and Conditions. A terms and Conditions of Hire (2016) document exists (Appendix A) and is given to all Hirers when MHCT confirm the booking. The conditions mentioned in the document form part of the Health & Safety conditions mentioned in this Policy document.
Employee – means anyone who is used or employed by the MHCT either on a piecemeal basis (eg painters/decorators, staging movers) or on contract (eg Cleaners) or as volunteers.
Users – means any person, persons or organisation(s) which hires any of the rooms or facilities in Marden House for any function under the Terms and Conditions of the Hire (2016).
Casual users – means those who just want to pop into Marden House for whatever reason and are not part of the group(s) who hire the premises at the time.
RESPONSIBILITIES
MHCT – will endeavour, to the best of its abilities, to maintain the premises and all the equipment, fixtures and fittings in the best possible condition, but always ensuring they are fit for the purposes for which they were designed.
Whilst employing persons to work in Marden House, the MHCT will undertake to ensure the premises and work areas are safe and the environment is healthy, save for the specific area/equipment requiring attention.
Employees – will ensure they carry out the tasks relating to their skills in the safest possible way whilst working on the premises. They must ensure they and their equipment are in the best possible state, and that they do not under any circumstances carry out any work without using the safest and most secure means available to them.
Employees must ensure they are insured to carry out the tasks requested of them by the MHCT. MHCT does not undertake to insure employees against accidents caused by their negligence or lack of care whilst on the premises
Users – Users of Marden House must ensure they (and those whom they have in attendance) only carry out events and functions which are lawful, safe, appropriate and do not cause damage to any part of the Marden House equipment, fixtures and fittings. Any damage caused by users will be repaired and the cost recovered from the ‘offending’ users.
Users will need to ensure their own Health & Safety Policies are viable and up to date if they are on contract to MHCT. MHCT will expect Users to make sure those attending functions are aware of Fire Safety matters – eg escape routes, signs and the positioning of fire extinguishers – these pieces of equipment are life-saving devices and not toys.
Users will need to ensure their own Insurance details and policies are valid and cover them for the activity upon which they are engaged/hired, and that appropriate Risk Assessments have been carried out in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of Hire (2016) document.
Users will need to ensure any electrical equipment which is brought into Marden House to enhance a function (eg Disco equipment, strobe lighting, audio equipment) is PAT (Portable Appliance Tested), safe and will not be prejudicial to the health and safety of the building as it exists. The MHCT will seek to reclaim any expenditure outlayed as a result of faulty or sub-standard kit being used and causing damage.
Use of electric cable outside – see paragraph under ‘Garden area’.
Casual users – anyone going into Marden House on a casual basis (eg to return some crockery removed for washing up from a previous function, or any other ‘casual’ reason) must advise a member of the MHCT of their intention to do so. Vulnerable adults use the building on a regular basis and it is not acceptable to have casual visitors wandering in and out without authority or without the knowledge of current hirers.
SAFEGUARDING MATTERS..
Users will need to ensure they have procedures in place to deal with any issues arising from the presence of vulnerable people who are in their charge during an event. MHCT cannot take responsibility for progressing or managing any issues which may arise from incidents involving such people.
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
A Health & Safety Checklist exists and is completed on a regular basis. (Appendix B). No fire equipment is to be tampered with. These are life-saving devices; not toys.
Specific H&S areas and/or items of risk:
Entrance Hall. None other than stairs, but they are wide and have hand-rails and are carpeted. There is not to be any playing on the stairs.
Kitchen. No children should be allowed in the kitchen unaccompanied as there are numerous risks associated with kitchens, including: sharp knives, hot water sources – kettles, pans, cooker rings, ovens – food preparation issues, possibility of slipping on wet flooring, etc.
Inside the Kitchen is a document which details specific Safety in the Kitchen guidelines. Users need to familiarise themselves with the content and procedures outlined in this document.
Main Hall. Crash doors fire exit. To be kept clear of obstruction at all times.
Metal spiral staircase. This staircase is a Fire Exit and needs to be kept clear of any/all obstructions at all times. Ideally this ought to be enclosed at the base, but the area is used to store staging. Therefore great care needs to be taken to avoid users colliding with the sharp corners of the risers. As a temporary barrier, it is recommended chairs are used to create a barrier to discourage areas around the base from being used. However, as this staircase is a fire exit, it needs to be kept usable.
The staircase leads up to a first floor area. Unless this has been specifically booked, users are requested not to venture upstairs, but it is understood folks will go there, so users are advised they use the area at their risk, and especially need to be aware of what activities children are engaged upon when up there.
The sound system in the Hall is for use by hirers, but must be used with care and only by those who are conversant with this type of equipment so as to avoid damage to the system and injury/electric shock to themselves. Any malfunctions must be reported to MHCT as soon as detected.
Staging. The movement of staging is carried out by the users at their own risk. The use of staging once in place carries an element of risk as there are no means of implementing hand-rails at the edges. Inherent therefore is the risk of falling off the staging, so users need to use the staging with care and attention to whatever activities are taking place thereon.
Door to outside. This door opens onto a wooden platform which then leads to a ramp or stairs to give access to the garden. Unless the garden area is to be used, it is recommended this door is kept closed and locked.
Double doors at far end of hall. Give access to another Emergency Exit, storage area for chairs, brooms, piano, ladders and other items, but more importantly, to the disabled toilet and is another emergency/fire exit Therefore this area at all times needs to be kept free of equipment to enable those who need to use the toilet to be able to do so without inconvenience. This room also has stairs which lead to a further storage room on the first floor.
Storage Room on first floor. Access to this room is not part of any hiring except for the removal/return of furniture and equipment, and therefore unauthorised use of this room will present hazards. Hazards in this area include tripping amongst others. Those permitted to use this area are to ensure it is kept clutter-free and fit for purpose.
Balcony area. Accessed via the main staircase or via the metal spiral staircase. The control switches for the Marden House spotlights are lodged in the cupboard to the right of the main entry door. The cupboard must be kept locked except when specifically booked for authorised use. The risk of electric shock or worse will always be present if users who do not know how to operate the controls are allowed to tamper with the switches. Otherwise, this area is a pleasant part of the Hall and provides a very good viewing/photographic site for events happening below. Children should be discouraged from playing in this area unless under supervision.
Committee Room. Accessed immediately to the right at the top of the main staircase. Little or no risks are present in this room.
Open hall area at top of stairs. Little or no risks present in this area, but children must be supervised at all times as there is a risk of falling down the stairs or over the banisters.
Garden and all outside areas to rear of Marden House. Children need to be supervised at all times when in the Garden.
This area is a garden and not a children’s playground, and users need to have control of all who use this lovely cultivated area and to respect it for what it is, especially in the environs of the river.
Trees must not be climbed upon.
Due to the nature of the area being a garden there are a number of risks to which users need to pay attention. Namely: tripping/slipping on uneven/wet paving slabs, falling down stairs leading to garden, slipping on wet ramp, slipping on wet wooden platforms which protrude over the River Marden.
Use of Electrical equipment in the Garden. There are two RCD sockets located on the outside wall at the bottom of the stairs. Only these sockets are to be used to power equipment used outside. No extension leads are to be used from inside the Hall. MHCT cannot be responsible for hirers using electrical items in the Garden.
First Aid and Accidents: All Hirers must be prepared to provide their own First Aid facility. All accidents or minor injury incidents MUST be reported to the MHCT via an entry into the Accident Register kept on site (see notice board in foyer). There is an emergency only telephone located in the foyer. The postcode for the premises is SN11 0JJ.
CONCLUSION.
It is the desired intention of the MHCT that all those who use The Marden House Centre for whatever reason do so in a safe and satisfactory environment, and that those who come into the building find it pleasant and will want to return for other reasons. As an aid to this aim, we would welcome any suggestions or advice as to how to improve your experience and how to make the surroundings and environment more enjoyable and acceptable.
Introduction.
The Marden House Centre exists to serve the Community –“ in the Community, for the Community and by the Community”. None of the Trustees take any form of remuneration for their duties.
The Marden House Centre Trustees (MHCT) take the matter of Health and Safety very seriously, both in respect of those who are employed (on a contractual or voluntary basis) to work for the Trustees, and those who use the premises for their respective activities. To reciprocate, we expect ‘employees’ and ‘users’ to exercise the same level of judgement and care.
There are two important elements of information about which the Users, Employees and the Trustees need to be aware:
FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES, THE POSTCODE FOR MARDEN HOUSE IS: SN11 0JJ
- On the inside of the entrance door to The Centre is an envelope which contains important information for the benefit of the Emergency Services in the event of a fire or any other emergency.
DEFINITIONS.
Marden House – means the building generically known as The Marden House Centre, all the rooms contained therein (including The Mill Race), the gardens, terracing and stages outside and the gates and pathways as seen.
The Marden House Centre Trustees (MHCT) – means the body designed to run and manage the business of renting, maintaining and generally overseeing the business that is Marden House. Within this clause, will also fall any other body which is delegated to act on behalf of the MHCT no matter what nomenclature is used.
Terms and Conditions. A terms and Conditions of Hire (2016) document exists (Appendix A) and is given to all Hirers when MHCT confirm the booking. The conditions mentioned in the document form part of the Health & Safety conditions mentioned in this Policy document.
Employee – means anyone who is used or employed by the MHCT either on a piecemeal basis (eg painters/decorators, staging movers) or on contract (eg Cleaners) or as volunteers.
Users – means any person, persons or organisation(s) which hires any of the rooms or facilities in Marden House for any function under the Terms and Conditions of the Hire (2016).
Casual users – means those who just want to pop into Marden House for whatever reason and are not part of the group(s) who hire the premises at the time.
RESPONSIBILITIES
MHCT – will endeavour, to the best of its abilities, to maintain the premises and all the equipment, fixtures and fittings in the best possible condition, but always ensuring they are fit for the purposes for which they were designed.
Whilst employing persons to work in Marden House, the MHCT will undertake to ensure the premises and work areas are safe and the environment is healthy, save for the specific area/equipment requiring attention.
Employees – will ensure they carry out the tasks relating to their skills in the safest possible way whilst working on the premises. They must ensure they and their equipment are in the best possible state, and that they do not under any circumstances carry out any work without using the safest and most secure means available to them.
Employees must ensure they are insured to carry out the tasks requested of them by the MHCT. MHCT does not undertake to insure employees against accidents caused by their negligence or lack of care whilst on the premises
Users – Users of Marden House must ensure they (and those whom they have in attendance) only carry out events and functions which are lawful, safe, appropriate and do not cause damage to any part of the Marden House equipment, fixtures and fittings. Any damage caused by users will be repaired and the cost recovered from the ‘offending’ users.
Users will need to ensure their own Health & Safety Policies are viable and up to date if they are on contract to MHCT. MHCT will expect Users to make sure those attending functions are aware of Fire Safety matters – eg escape routes, signs and the positioning of fire extinguishers – these pieces of equipment are life-saving devices and not toys.
Users will need to ensure their own Insurance details and policies are valid and cover them for the activity upon which they are engaged/hired, and that appropriate Risk Assessments have been carried out in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of Hire (2016) document.
Users will need to ensure any electrical equipment which is brought into Marden House to enhance a function (eg Disco equipment, strobe lighting, audio equipment) is PAT (Portable Appliance Tested), safe and will not be prejudicial to the health and safety of the building as it exists. The MHCT will seek to reclaim any expenditure outlayed as a result of faulty or sub-standard kit being used and causing damage.
Use of electric cable outside – see paragraph under ‘Garden area’.
Casual users – anyone going into Marden House on a casual basis (eg to return some crockery removed for washing up from a previous function, or any other ‘casual’ reason) must advise a member of the MHCT of their intention to do so. Vulnerable adults use the building on a regular basis and it is not acceptable to have casual visitors wandering in and out without authority or without the knowledge of current hirers.
SAFEGUARDING MATTERS..
Users will need to ensure they have procedures in place to deal with any issues arising from the presence of vulnerable people who are in their charge during an event. MHCT cannot take responsibility for progressing or managing any issues which may arise from incidents involving such people.
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
A Health & Safety Checklist exists and is completed on a regular basis. (Appendix B). No fire equipment is to be tampered with. These are life-saving devices; not toys.
Specific H&S areas and/or items of risk:
Entrance Hall. None other than stairs, but they are wide and have hand-rails and are carpeted. There is not to be any playing on the stairs.
Kitchen. No children should be allowed in the kitchen unaccompanied as there are numerous risks associated with kitchens, including: sharp knives, hot water sources – kettles, pans, cooker rings, ovens – food preparation issues, possibility of slipping on wet flooring, etc.
Inside the Kitchen is a document which details specific Safety in the Kitchen guidelines. Users need to familiarise themselves with the content and procedures outlined in this document.
Main Hall. Crash doors fire exit. To be kept clear of obstruction at all times.
Metal spiral staircase. This staircase is a Fire Exit and needs to be kept clear of any/all obstructions at all times. Ideally this ought to be enclosed at the base, but the area is used to store staging. Therefore great care needs to be taken to avoid users colliding with the sharp corners of the risers. As a temporary barrier, it is recommended chairs are used to create a barrier to discourage areas around the base from being used. However, as this staircase is a fire exit, it needs to be kept usable.
The staircase leads up to a first floor area. Unless this has been specifically booked, users are requested not to venture upstairs, but it is understood folks will go there, so users are advised they use the area at their risk, and especially need to be aware of what activities children are engaged upon when up there.
The sound system in the Hall is for use by hirers, but must be used with care and only by those who are conversant with this type of equipment so as to avoid damage to the system and injury/electric shock to themselves. Any malfunctions must be reported to MHCT as soon as detected.
Staging. The movement of staging is carried out by the users at their own risk. The use of staging once in place carries an element of risk as there are no means of implementing hand-rails at the edges. Inherent therefore is the risk of falling off the staging, so users need to use the staging with care and attention to whatever activities are taking place thereon.
Door to outside. This door opens onto a wooden platform which then leads to a ramp or stairs to give access to the garden. Unless the garden area is to be used, it is recommended this door is kept closed and locked.
Double doors at far end of hall. Give access to another Emergency Exit, storage area for chairs, brooms, piano, ladders and other items, but more importantly, to the disabled toilet and is another emergency/fire exit Therefore this area at all times needs to be kept free of equipment to enable those who need to use the toilet to be able to do so without inconvenience. This room also has stairs which lead to a further storage room on the first floor.
Storage Room on first floor. Access to this room is not part of any hiring except for the removal/return of furniture and equipment, and therefore unauthorised use of this room will present hazards. Hazards in this area include tripping amongst others. Those permitted to use this area are to ensure it is kept clutter-free and fit for purpose.
Balcony area. Accessed via the main staircase or via the metal spiral staircase. The control switches for the Marden House spotlights are lodged in the cupboard to the right of the main entry door. The cupboard must be kept locked except when specifically booked for authorised use. The risk of electric shock or worse will always be present if users who do not know how to operate the controls are allowed to tamper with the switches. Otherwise, this area is a pleasant part of the Hall and provides a very good viewing/photographic site for events happening below. Children should be discouraged from playing in this area unless under supervision.
Committee Room. Accessed immediately to the right at the top of the main staircase. Little or no risks are present in this room.
Open hall area at top of stairs. Little or no risks present in this area, but children must be supervised at all times as there is a risk of falling down the stairs or over the banisters.
Garden and all outside areas to rear of Marden House. Children need to be supervised at all times when in the Garden.
This area is a garden and not a children’s playground, and users need to have control of all who use this lovely cultivated area and to respect it for what it is, especially in the environs of the river.
Trees must not be climbed upon.
Due to the nature of the area being a garden there are a number of risks to which users need to pay attention. Namely: tripping/slipping on uneven/wet paving slabs, falling down stairs leading to garden, slipping on wet ramp, slipping on wet wooden platforms which protrude over the River Marden.
Use of Electrical equipment in the Garden. There are two RCD sockets located on the outside wall at the bottom of the stairs. Only these sockets are to be used to power equipment used outside. No extension leads are to be used from inside the Hall. MHCT cannot be responsible for hirers using electrical items in the Garden.
First Aid and Accidents: All Hirers must be prepared to provide their own First Aid facility. All accidents or minor injury incidents MUST be reported to the MHCT via an entry into the Accident Register kept on site (see notice board in foyer). There is an emergency only telephone located in the foyer. The postcode for the premises is SN11 0JJ.
CONCLUSION.
It is the desired intention of the MHCT that all those who use The Marden House Centre for whatever reason do so in a safe and satisfactory environment, and that those who come into the building find it pleasant and will want to return for other reasons. As an aid to this aim, we would welcome any suggestions or advice as to how to improve your experience and how to make the surroundings and environment more enjoyable and acceptable.