Newry Dominican

St Catherine's Dominican Church, Newry

Health and Safety Policy for the Lectio Centre.

Health and Safety Policy for the Lectio Centre. Date of Policy June 2021

Note to all Users of the Lectio Centre, Lectio Communities, Employees ,Volunteers , Visitors and all others

The Lectio Centre Management Board has developed this Health and Safety Policy as a measure to safeguard the health and safety of all who use the Lectio Centre.The Board via this policy seeks to fulfil its general and specific duties of care under the Health and Safety Regulations (1978,2000)
The success of this Health and Safety Policy depends on your cooperation. It is important that you read this document carefully and understand your role in the overall arrangements for health and safety of everyone using the Lectio Centre.
Section A
General Policy Statement
Our policy, so far as is reasonably practicable is to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all users of our Lectio Centre and to provide such information, training and supervision necessary for this purpose.
We will also endeavour to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all our community members ,employees, volunteers visitors and anyone who visits the Lectio Centre.
The allocation of duties for safety matters and any particular arrangements which are made to implement the policy are set out below.
The policy will be kept up to date, particularly in the light of any changes which may be made to the building itself or to the activities or work conditions of the Lectio Centre. The policy and the way in which it is operated will be reviewed regularly and the appropriate changes or additions will be made. Lectio Communities, Employees, Volunteers and general users will also be consulted regularly to have their views on the best working of the Health and Safety policies.

Section B Organisation and Responsibilities

Organisation and Responsibilities of the Director

Overall responsibility for health and safety is that of the Lectio Centre Director .
The responsibility of Lectio Centre Management Board shall be -:

  • to be familiar with Health and Safety Policy
  • to ensure the health and safety policy is observed
  • to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are in place
  • to ensure the Lectio Centre is clean and tidy and properly maintained
  • to ensure that safety equipment is provided and used where this is required

 

  • to ensure that all equipment and tools are properly maintained and in good condition and that all operators have received the appropriate training
  • to ensure that adequate access and exits are maintained
  • to ensure adequate fire fighting equipment is available and maintained.
  • Responsibility of Lectio Communities employees and voluntary workers:
    All Lectio Communities, employees and voluntary helpers have a responsibility to co-operate in the implementation of this health and safety policy and to take reasonable care of themselves and others whilst in the Lectio Centre.

Lectio Communities,Employees and voluntary workers must therefore-:

  • comply with safety rules, operating instructions and working procedures
  • report any fault or defect in equipment immediately to the appropriate person
  • report all accidents (however minor), and record in First Aid Book
  • not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety .

 

Section C Arrangements
(Implementation of the Policy)
This section sets out our arrangements to minimise as far as is reasonably practicable risks to the health and safety of Lectio Communities employees, voluntary workers, visitors and contractors.

Accidents and First Aid

  • First Aid box is located: in the Lectio Centre Kitchen .
  • The accident book is located with the First Aid box in the kitchen.
  • All accidents and incidents must be entered in the accident book.

General Fire Safety
Our policy is to fulfil our obligations under the Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010

Evacuation exits (Fire regulations)

  • Fire Exits will be labelled
  • All Lectio Communities, employees and volunteers will be aware of Fire Exits.
  • Information re the Assembly Point will be displayed prominently in the Lectio Centre.
  • A fob that opens, the Lectio Centre gate will be kept outside the Lectio Room ,on 1st floor, beside the fire exit and all Lectio Communities will know where it is located.

All Lectio Communities, employees and volunteers will be aware of Fire Exits.

In order to achieve this, we have undertaken the following-:

  • an assessment of the fire risks in the Lectio Centre and associated buildings
  • a check that a fire can be detected in a reasonable time and that people can be warned
  • a check that people who may be in the building can get out safely
  • provide reasonable fire fighting equipment.
  • a check that those in the building know what to do if there is a fire
  • .a regular check that our fire fighting equipment is in place and is serviceable,
  • There is a biennial maintenance contract in place with a reputable company.

What to do if a fire is discovered (no matter how small):

 

  • Get Out
  • Raise the alarm /break the glass
  • Call the Fire Brigade
  • Evacuate the Building
  • Report to the Assembly Point
  • Await Fire Brigade

What to do on hearing the fire alarm

  • Instruct everyone to leave the building by the nearest exit.
  • Leaving all your belongings behind .

From the 1st and 2nd floors

  • Exit by fire door and fire escape .
  • Or Exit by the main stairs , if it is safe to do so, leave the building by the front or side doors.
  • Close any doors or windows behind you if it is safe to do so
  • Do not use the lift
  • Proceed to the Assembly Point across the road, at the gate of the Dominican gardens.
  • Do not try to re-enter the building

From the ground floor

  • Exit by the front or side door of the Lectio Centre
  • Proceed to the Assembly Point
  • Await the Fire Brigade
  • Do not attempt to re-enter the building until Firefighters say it is safe.

Lectio Servers should check that all members of their community have arrived at the designated assembly point , which is across the road ,at the gate of the Dominican garden.
 The general rule is People before Property.
Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles
Electrical Safety

  • At regular intervals, plugs, cables and sockets to be inspected to ensure there are no loose connections, worn flexes or trailing leads.
  • Any repairs need to be carried out by a competent electrician.
    All Lectio Communities, employees and voluntary workers must observe the following-:
  • Visually check all electrical equipment before use
  • Report all faults immediately to a member of the Lectio Centre Management Board
  • Do not attempt to use or repair faulty equipment
  • Electrical equipment should be switched off and disconnected when not in use
    for long periods
  • Flex and cables should be so positioned and so protected that they do not
    constitute a tripping hazard .

 

Hazardous Substances in the Lectio Centre

  • Polishes and materials used for cleaning are kept at a distance from any electrical sockets as advised.
  • Cleaning fluids such as washing up liquid and cleaners for work surfaces are kept in a cupboard under the sink.

Slips, trips and falls ( condition of floors, steps and paths)

  • In order to reduce as far as is reasonably practicable the risks of slips , trips and falls, regular inspection to be made of floors and stairs in the Lectio Centre, the entrance/ exits and steps in the Lectio Centre.
  • Wet floor notice will be displayed when appropriate.

Lighting

In order to ensure that the Lectio Centre is adequately lit :-

  • regular inspections will be carried out ensuring that all lights are replaced as necessary
  • the necessary safety precautions will be followed to replace bulbs at high levels

Working at High Level

  • Only approved contractors, employees or competent volunteers may work at high levels, subject to the necessary safety provisions being in place
  • . Ladders may only be used when they can be safely secured. This may necessitate the use of ladder ties or a two-person operation.

Manual Handling (Lifting, Carrying and Moving Loads)

  • Our policy is to eliminate the need for manual handling as far as reasonably practicable.
  • Where it is not possible to avoid the need to move loads, we will carry out risk assessments and make use of lifting aids.
  • The necessary training will be given to all those employees and voluntary workers who are required to undertake manual handling.
  • Only those persons who have received the appropriate training are authorised to undertake manual handling tasks.

Contractors

 

  • Anyone entering Lectio Centre premises for the purpose of carrying out work, other than an employee or voluntary worker will be regarded as a contractor.

All contractors, including the self-employed, must abide by the following:

  • Have their own health and safety policy (where required by law) and be able to provide a copy of the same.
  • Produce evidence that they have appropriate public and employers liability insurance in place.
  • Comply with all requirements of this health and safety policy and cooperate with the Lectio Centre Management Board in providing a safe place of work and a safe system of operation.

Personal Safety

  • The security of all Lectio Communities, employees, volunteers and visitors is paramount to The Lectio Centre Director, and The Lectio Management Board .

Review of Policy

  • Policy to be reviewed every 3 years