Worship services Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Candles and open flames — Use enclosed holders on stable surfaces, keep flammables 1 metre away, place drip trays, and assign a verger to light and snuff. Provide sand bucket/extinguisher nearby, never leave lit candles unattended, and limit numbers during processions with adult supervision.
• Electrical and AV equipment — PAT-test portable kit to schedule, keep vents clear, coil and cover cables with ramps, and use RCD-protected outlets. Power down before moving equipment, ban daisy-chain adapters, assign a trained operator, and keep spares and fuses to avoid unsafe improvisation.
• Cash handling and counting — Use sealed bags and discreet collection points, keep safes out of public view, and count in a locked room by two adults. Vary banking times, avoid routine routes, and never take cash to vehicles alone. Record totals confidentially and secure keys separately from safes.
• Hot drinks service — Use lidded urns on stable surfaces with cord protection, provide heat-resistant gloves, and create a ‘‘service only’’ zone separated from queues. Fill cups away from passing children, decant near-boiling water slowly, and keep a burns kit and first-aider present at refreshments.
• Fire risk in building — Keep exits unlocked and unobstructed, test alarms and emergency lighting weekly, service extinguishers annually, and maintain clear 1-metre clearance from heaters. Prohibit storage in escape routes, brief wardens on sweep roles, and run an evacuation drill each quarter.