H5
1. If an organisation has 5 or more employees, it must draw up a Health and Safety Policy Statement and bring it to the attention of all employees. A guidance leaflet produced by the HSE gives guidance to employers on writing a policy statement [HSC6].
A draft Health and Safety Policy specifically designed for churches is available from Ecclesiastical Insurance. (Telephone number 0845 777 3322 – local call rate)
2. The main legislation governing this area is the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and a Code of Practice is available from HMSI. However, much of the detail of the legislation is set out in Regulations, of which the following are particularly relevant:
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
The approved code of practice for the first of these two sets of regulations [Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare, HMSO for HSE, 1992] is a good practical guide to matters such as lighting, workstations and seating, floors (trailing cables etc.) and toilet facilities.
3. The regional office of the HSE for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire is at:
14 Cardiff Road,
LUTON,
Bedfordshire, LU1 1PP
Telephone: 01582-444200
4. A simple leaflet for employees is published by HSE Books as "Health and Safety Law: What You Should Know" (ISBN 0717608182).
HSE Books,
PO Box 1999
Sudbury,
Suffolk,
CO10 6FS.
Telephone: 01787 881165
Fax: 01787-313995
