HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY (2021)
1. Introduction and Scope
2. Responsibilities
3. Statements of General Policy
4. First Aid
5. Sound Safety
6. Policy Review
1. Introduction and Scope
Aldeburgh Music Club Choir (AMC) is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all those involved in the musical activities it organises. This includes but is not limited to:
· AMC’s Members, staff (including freelance) and volunteers, and members of the public.
· Rehearsals, concerts and social and fundraising events.
2. Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety sits with the AMC Committee. Practical responsibility for health and safety at events and activities organised by AMC sits with the Concert Manager (currently Penny Kay).
3. Statements of General Policy
3.1 AMC will seek to prevent accidents and cases of ill-health by managing health and safety at rehearsals, concerts, events and activities it organises.
Actions to be taken: relevant risk assessments to be completed for rehearsals, concerts, events and activities. In completing risk assessments, hired venues’ own health and safety policies will be taken into account. Where regular venues are used, the risk assessment will be reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if required.
3.2 AMC will provide clear instructions and information to ensure that members, staff and volunteers are competent to do their work in a healthy and safe manner.
Actions to be taken: tasks performed by members, staff and volunteers to be risk assessed and appropriate instruction to be provided (e.g. preparing and serving hot drinks, erecting and dismantling staging, moving chairs, etc).
3.3 AMC will engage and consult with members, staff and volunteers on health and safety conditions.
Actions to be taken: members, staff and volunteers to be briefed on health and safety risk assessments for new venues/activities and updated on any changes in risk assessment for regular venues/activities. Establish clear lines of communication for members, staff and volunteers to raise health and safety concerns.
3.4 AMC will implement emergency procedures – evacuation in case of fire or other significant incident.
Actions to be taken: ensure at least one individual is responsible for knowing fire procedures for hired venues and for communicating them to those present.
3.5 AMC will maintain safe and healthy conditions, provide and maintain plant, equipment and machinery, and ensure safe storage/use of substances.
Actions to be taken: ensure satisfactory health and safety conditions at hired venues and for hired equipment. Ensure that any equipment owned by AMC is stored safely.
4. First Aid
4.1 AMC will ensure it is aware of hired venues’ First Aid procedures and location of First Aid kits and equipment.
4.2 AMC will, with the consent of those concerned, identify and keep a record of members and volunteers with First Aid experience.
4.3 Where appropriate (e.g. for larger events), AMC will engage volunteers trained in First Aid or work with professional First Aid organisations.
5. Sound Safety
AMC takes the responsibility of protecting the hearing of members, staff, volunteers and audience members seriously. AMC’s Committee and Music Director will:
· Ensure there are open lines of communication for individuals to raise concerns about hearing and sound issues, and take such concerns seriously when raised.
· Work with the individuals concerned to find ways to minimise risk.
· Take into account the protection of the hearing of AMC’s audiences when designing stage and audience layout for concerts.
6. Policy review
This Policy will be reviewed by AMC’s committee every two years.
Reviewed and endorsed by AMC Committee [Date] 18.05.2021
Signed by Veronica Posford, Chair [Veronica Posford]