Health and Safety Policy

This web version was checked against the published PDF on 15 September 2026. The document’s original approval and review dates are retained below.

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Adopted 9th March 2017

Statement of intent

1. The policy of Newsome Community Forum Limited is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions and environment for all our volunteers and users, plus any other people who are directly affected by our activities, such as members of the public at our event.
   1. The Newsome Community Forum area covers the settlements of Newsome (including all Lockwood Scar), plus Primrose Hill, Ashenhurst, Lowerhouses, Hall Bower, Berry Brow, Armitage Bridge, Taylor Hill

Responsibility

1. Overall and final responsibility for health and safety at all events and activities organised by the Newsome Community Forum Limited lies with the Executive Group. This responsibility will be delegated to a named volunteer for each event or activity. This volunteer will be responsible for ensuring that this policy is upheld.
2. For our bi-monthly public meetings the responsible person is the Chair Person.
3. For all other events the responsible person will be named in advance and their name will be noted on all relevant risk assessments. All volunteers involved will be made aware of who is responsible for health and safety.

General arrangements

1. The main aim of Newsome Community Forum Limited is to enable people who live and/or work in the Newsome Area defined above, to share information and explore ways to help each other, and to discuss the needs of the people in the area; this mainly happens via bi-monthly public meetings, and regular or adhoc community events.
   1. We will carry out a general risk assessment for the regular meetings or events.
   2. A risk assessment will be carried out before every ad hoc community event or activity. This will include assessing risk as it relates to all aspects of the event including: equipment; venue; volunteers; attendees. Appropriate precautions will be taken to minimise hazards at all events and activities.
   3. All general risk assessments will be reviewed at least once a year.
2. We will have a trained first aider present at all events which are open to the public, along with a first aid kit.
3. All volunteers will have the necessary training and/or experience to run activities.
4. We will make sure all volunteers and staff at events and activities are aware of the location of fire exits.
5. All volunteers and staff will be made aware of the precautions they need to take as noted on the relevant risk assessment.
6. No volunteer or employee will run an event or activity on their own, and at least two volunteers or employees should stay at an event until it is finished and the last attendees have left.
7. Newsome Community Forum Limited will hold Public Liability Insurance
8. This policy should be considered in conjunction with the following policies:
   1. Safeguarding Adults Policy
   2. Safeguarding Children Policy
   3. Equality and Diversity Policy
   4. Volunteering Policy

Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years Date……………………………………….. Signature (Chair)……………………………………………………………. Signature (Secretary)…………………………………………………………

Adopted: 9th March 2017 Reviewed: 10th March 2020 Reviewed and accepted: 11th July 2024 Amended and agreed: 12th March 2026

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