Holmfirth Choral Society is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all those involved in the activities it organises. This policy applies, but is not limited, to:
- members, additional performers, volunteers and members of the public.
- rehearsals, performances and fundraising events.
Responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the Holmfirth Choral Society Committee.
- The committee will appoint a named Health and Safety Officer who will take practical responsibility for health and safety at events and activities organised by the Society. This person will be named for each event organised by the Society.
Statement of general policy
Holmfirth Choral Society will seek to prevent accidents and cases of ill-health by managing risks to health and safety at events and activities by carrying out appropriate risk assessments. Where regular venues are used risk assessments will be reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if required.
- Holmfirth Choral Society will ensure that members and volunteers acting on behalf of the society are able to do so as safely as possible. To this end, where necessary, activities and tasks will be risk assessed and appropriate instruction will be provided (e.g. preparing and serving hot drinks, erecting staging). Appropriate hygiene and infection prevention measures will be adhered to.
- Holmfirth Choral Society will engage and consult with members and volunteers on health and safety issues. Members and volunteers will be briefed on health and safety risk assessments for new venues/activities and updated on any changes in risk assessment for regular venues/activities.
- Attendees will be given health and safety information at all events hosted/run by the Society.
- Anyone may raise a health and safety concern and anyone may take action to maintain immediate safety. Issues should be brought to the attention of the Health and Safety Officer or any committee member as soon as practicable. Holmfirth Choral Society will establish clear lines of communication for members, staff and volunteers to raise health and safety concerns, and have procedures in place to ensure concerns raised are investigated and acted on where appropriate.
- Holmfirth Choral Society will implement emergency procedures – eg. evacuation in case of fire or other significant incident – in accordance with procedures applicable to the venue. We will ensure that at least one individual is responsible for knowing fire procedures for hired venues and for communicating them to those present.
- Holmfirth Choral Society will maintain safe and healthy conditions for the storage of equipment.
First Aid
- Holmfirth Choral Society will ensure they are aware of First Aid procedures, kits and equipment at hired venues.
- Where practical Holmfirth Choral Society will recruit members and volunteers with First Aid experience. OR
- Where appropriate (e.g. for larger events) Holmfirth Choral Society will train members or volunteers in First Aid or work with professional First Aid organisations.
Sound safety
Holmfirth Choral Society takes the responsibility of protecting the hearing of members, staff, volunteers and audience members seriously. We will:
- Take into account the protection of our audience’s hearing when designing stage and audience layout for performances.
- Ensure there are open lines of communication for individuals to raise concerns about hearing
- Where concerns are raised the Committee will work with the individuals to find ways to minimise risk.
Adopted by the Committee
Date: 12 May 2024