Health and Safety Policy Statement

HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT

Rutland Street Church

Document Owner Elders of Rutland Street Church
Applies To All volunteers, attenders, and visitors at Rutland Street Church
Adopted By [Names of elders]
Date Adopted [DD Month YYYY]
Review Date [DD Month YYYY — annually]
Legal Basis Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA)

Our Commitment

The elders of Rutland Street Church are committed to providing and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for everyone who gathers with us — whether for Sunday worship, midweek activities, events, or any other church activity. We take our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 seriously, not just because the law requires it, but because we genuinely care about the people God brings into our community.

As a church we have a duty of care to the people who gather with us. Where we employ staff we are also a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) under the HSWA, with a primary duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that our premises, activities, and practices do not put people at risk.

What We Commit to as Elders

  • Identifying and managing health and safety risks in our building and activities
  • Ensuring our volunteers are informed, equipped, and supported to serve safely
  • Maintaining a safe and accessible church building and grounds
  • Responding promptly and appropriately to any incident or near miss
  • Reviewing our health and safety practices at least once a year
  • Ensuring our Child Protection Policy is followed in all ministry with children and young people

What We Ask of Everyone

Health and safety isn't just the elders' responsibility — it belongs to all of us. We ask all volunteers and regular attenders to:

  • Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of those around them
  • Report any hazards, incidents, or unsafe situations to an elder or team leader immediately
  • Follow any reasonable health and safety instruction given by a leader
  • Participate in any induction or training when offered

Emergency Information

Emergency services: 111 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Church address: [Full street address]

First aid kit: [Location in building]

Emergency exits: [Describe]

Assembly point: [Location outside building]

H&S contact: [Name and phone number]

Reporting

All incidents — including near misses — should be reported to an elder as soon as possible and recorded in writing. Deaths, serious injuries or illnesses, and serious incidents (notifiable events) must be reported to WorkSafe New Zealand as soon as possible (worksafe.govt.nz | 0800 030 040). Keep a record of every notifiable event for at least five years.

Review

This policy is reviewed annually at an elders' meeting. The CCCNZ Resource Library (cccnzrl.org) has an H&S Toolbox to help guide that review.

Signed by the Elders of Rutland Street Church:

Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________________

Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________________

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