Revised COVID-19 Risk Assessment for St Michael
Church:
St Michael’s KIngsteignton | Assessor’s name:
Fr Mark Smith | Date completed:
24th July 2021 | Review date:
TBC |
Area of Focus | Controls required | Additional information | Action by whom? | Completed – date and name |
Access to church buildings for clergy for purposes of private prayer and/or livestreaming
General advice on accessing church buildings can be found here. | One point of entry to the church building clearly identified and separate from public entry if possible |
|
| MS- 19/06/2020 24/07/2021 |
A suitable lone working policy has been consulted if relevant. | An example can be found here. |
| MS checked Ecclesiastical Insurance guidance 19/06/2020 | |
Buildings have been aired before use. |
|
| MS-03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Check for animal waste and general cleanliness. |
|
| MS- 19/06/2020 | |
Ensure water systems are flushed through before use.
| See Government Guidance for organisations on supplying safe water supplies |
| MS- 19/06/2020 | |
Switch on and check electrical and heating systems if needed. Commission system checks as necessary. |
|
| MS- 19/06/2020 | |
Holy water stoups and the font are empty. |
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| MS- 19/06/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Ensure safe use of equipment needed for livestreaming: avoid exceeding safe load on sockets, cables/tripod causing trip hazard |
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| 21/07/2021 | |
Deciding whether to open to the public | Discuss with nearby venues and businesses to ensure that the timing and practical arrangements for using the church are compatible. |
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| N/A |
Update your website, A Church Near You, and any relevant social media. |
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| MS- 23/07/2021 | |
Consider if a booking system is needed, whether for general access or for specific events/services |
| Churchwardens | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
If opening to tourists consider applying for the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ standard mark |
| N/A | ||
Preparation of the Church for access by members of the public for any permitted purposes, including worship and tourism | Confirm that all steps (above) for access by clergy have been carried out before anyone else accesses the building. |
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| MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 |
Review CofE guide on cleaning church buildings. Complete the ‘cleaning’ section of this risk assessment (below). | Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here. | Wardens and clergy | Wardens and clergy- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Choose one point of entry into the church to manage flow of people and indicate this with notices, keeping emergency exits available at all times. Where possible use a different exit. | Reviewed after 19thJuly 2021 rule relaxation | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Make any temporary arrangements for people to wait or queue outside the building (taking into account any consequential risks arising from people gathering outside). | Signage to be provided N/A after 19th July 2021 | Wardens | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Where possible, doors and windows should be opened temporarily to improve ventilation. | To continue after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Remove Bibles/literature/hymn books/leaflets | Bookcases and displays to be covered N/A after 19th July 2021 for hymn & service books but usage to be controlled | Wardens | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Cordon off or remove from public access any devotional objects or items (if they are liable to be touched or closely breathed on) | To continue after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Consider if pew cushions/kneelers need to be removed as per government guidance | Not reintroduced after 19th July 2021 | Wardens and clergy | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Remove or isolate children’s resources and play areas | Re-purposed from 19th July 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Walk through the church to plan for physical distancing in seats, aisles, at the altar rail, including safe flow of visitors. Remember 2m in all directions from each person (or 1m with risk mitigation if absolutely necessary). | Provision for physical distancing from 19thJuly 2021 retained but not a requirement | Wardens and clergy | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Clearly mark out seating areas including exclusion zones to maintain distancing. | Every other row closed still after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Clearly mark out flow of movement for people entering and leaving the building to maintain physical distancing requirements. | Direction markers for one way system retained after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Limit access to places were the public does not need go, maybe with a temporary cordon in needed. | Kitchen & toilet remain closed after 19th July 2021; easy access toilet available in emergencies only after 19th July 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Determine placement of hand sanitisers available for visitors to use. | Register with Parish Buying for procurement options. Entrance sanitiser moved to South Porch & sanitiser retained in choir vestry after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Determine if temporary changes are needed to the building to facilitate social distancing | Wardens and clergy | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | ||
Put up notices to remind visitors about important safe practices e.g. no physical contact, practice hand washing etc. | Notices at entrance and around church retained after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS-09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Ensure high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes | Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here. Will continue after 19th July 2021 | Wardens/Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Check that handwashing facilities have adequate soap provision and paper towels, and a bin for the paper towels. | Register with Parish Buying for procurement options.
| Clergy for Sacristy | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Where there are toilet facilities, ensure an adequate supply of soap and disposable hand towels, and a bin for towels, are available. | Register with Parish Buying for procurement options. | Wardens | MS- 24/07/2021 | |
Ensure all waste receptacles have disposable liners (e.g. polythene bin bags) to reduce the risk to those responsible for removing them. |
| N/A |
| |
If possible, provide safe means for worshippers and visitors to record their name and contact details; retain each day’s record for 21 days | Register to be taken and NHS QR code still displayed after 19thJuly 2021 | Wardens | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Give due notice of the resumption of use of the building to neighbours, congregation and wider community, ensuring that visitors and worshippers will know what to expect when they come. |
| Wardens and clergy | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Cleaning the church before and after general use (no known exposure to anyone with Coronavirus symptoms)
Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here. | If the church building has been closed for 72 hours between periods of being open then there is no need for extra cleaning to remove the virus from surfaces. |
| Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 |
If 72-hour closure is not possible then check all cleaners are not in a vulnerable group or self-isolating. |
| Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Set up a cleaning rota to cover your opening arrangements. |
| Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
All cleaners provided with gloves (ideally disposable). | Not required after 19th July 2021 but hand washing in place | Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Suitable cleaning materials provided, depending on materials and if historic surfaces are to be cleaned. | Register with Parish Buying for procurement options. | Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Confirm person responsible for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site. |
| Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Confirm the frequency for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site – suggested daily removal. | After services | Wardens | MS- 03/07/2020 24/07/2021 | |
Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms | If possible close the church building for 72 hours with no access permitted. |
| Wardens and clergy | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 |
If 72-hour closure is not possible then follow Public Health England guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings. | Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 | ||
If the building has been quarantined for 72 hours, then carry out cleaning as per the normal advice on cleaning. | Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here. | Cleaning Team | MS- 09/07/2020 24/07/2021 |