BURGESS HILL CHORAL SOCIETY
Health and Safety Policy Approved by the Committee on 16 October 2018 Introduction and Scope Burgess Hill Choral Society is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all those involved in the musical activities it organises.
Responsibilities
Statements of General Policy 1. Burgess Hill Choral Society will seek to prevent accidents and cases of ill-health by managing health and safety at events and activities it organises. Action to be taken: Relevant risk assessments will be completed for events and activities. Where regular venues are used, the risk assessment will be reviewed on an annual basis, or sooner if required. 2. Burgess Hill Choral Society will provide clear instructions and information to ensure that members, musicians and volunteers are competent to undertake their activities in a healthy and safe manner. Action to be taken: Tasks performed by members, staff and volunteers will be risk assessed and appropriate instruction will be provided (e.g. preparing and serving hot drinks, erecting staging). 3. Burgess Hill Choral Society will engage and consult with members, musicians and volunteers on health and safety conditions. Action to be taken:
Action to be taken: The Society will ensure that at least one individual is responsible for knowing fire procedures for hired venues and for communicating them to those present. Checks will be made to ensure clear access to escape routes. 5. Burgess Hill Choral Society will maintain safe and healthy conditions, provide and maintain equipment and machinery, and ensure safe storage and use of substances. Action to be taken: Burgess Hill Choral Society will ensure satisfactory health and safety conditions at hired venues and for hired equipment, and will ensure that any equipment owned by the Society is stored safely. First Aid
Sound safety Burgess Hill Choral Society will take responsibility seriously for protecting the hearing of members, staff, musicians and audience members. The Society will:
************************************************************************************************************************************************** BURGESS HILL CHORAL SOCIETY Safeguarding Policy Approved by the Committee in March 2019 Overview Commitment to safeguarding Burgess Hill Choral Society believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. The Society recognises that it has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Society is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all children, young people and vulnerable adults it comes into contact with and to protecting them from harm. About this policy
How Burgess Hill Choral Society might work with vulnerable people Membership is open to those aged 18 and over. Regular rehearsals are held for members, and concerts are presented for the general public. As such Burgess Hill Choral Society’s involvement with vulnerable people might include, but is not limited to:
Normally the Chair has responsibility for safeguarding issues. All queries and concerns relating to safeguarding should be referred to the Chair in the first instance. Any projects, events or other activities that will involve vulnerable people must be planned with the involvement of the named safeguarding officer and in line with established procedures and ground rules (see below). The BHCS Equal Opportunities Policy confirms that DBS checks are not required provided that no ‘regulated activities’ are carried out. This also applies to the appointment of a named safeguarding officer. It is not the usual practice of BHCS to carry out ‘regulated activities’. Procedures and ground rules Policy review This policy will be reviewed and amended if necessary on an annual basis by the Burgess Hill Choral Society Committee. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness. This section includes:
Ground rules for working in order to safeguard vulnerable people If Burgess Hill Choral Society were to organise an activity or event (not part of normal activities) where they would be responsible for vulnerable adults, a nominated safeguarding officer would ensure that:
Working with parents/guardians If a young person is taking part in Burgess Hill Choral Society activities, written agreement (email is acceptable) should be obtained from a parent/guardian before the activity takes place. A parent/guardian must be in attendance at all times while the young person is taking part in Burgess Hill Choral Society activities. Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and reporting incidents of abuse
Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of abuse The named person, or person reported to in their absence, will first make a decision based on the immediacy of the concern and the following two factors:
Where an internal investigation takes place, the Committee will:
Resolution and disciplinary action If abuse is found to have taken place, any final resolution or decision will be taken in the best interests of the person who has suffered the abuse and the best interests of Burgess Hill Choral Society. |