Covid-19 Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment for Public Worship

Version Control

Issue Date	Version Number	Issued by
22nd May 2020	1	The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
8th June 2020	2	The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
12th June 2020	3	The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group
1st July 2020	4	The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group

Churches and cathedrals have been legally permitted to open for purposes of individual private prayer from 13th June. House of Bishops guidance provided for churches to open for funerals from 15th June. Public worship, with measures in place for social distancing, are allowed from 4th July. Other activities, except for a few still prohibited by law, may also take place in churches, subject to the government guidance in place for the relevant sector.

The government guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic requires a COVID-19 risk assessment to be carried out for every building and site open to the public. This document provides a template risk assessment, with links to the relevant advice notes. It relates to opening up church and cathedral buildings to clergy and members of the public entering for any permitted purposes. As well as offering guidance on best-practice, it is also intended to help parishes make a decision on whether to open for any or all of these purposes or not, based on their local circumstances, resources and context. You should read the advice on re-opening buildings and the guidance on public worship before completing this assessment. Both are available on the Church of England Coronavirus pages.

Future versions of this document will be produced when there is any substantive change to the guidance on the safe use of places of worship.

A separate risk assessment relating to contractors and construction workers is available on the Church of England Coronavirus pages.

Carrying out a risk assessment

Agree what activities you are planning for:
- Private prayer (clergy only)
- Livestreaming services (clergy only)
- Private prayer (general public)
- Public worship
- Rites of passage services
- Opening for visitors and tourists

Consider the hazards:
- Transmission of COVID-19
- Hazards arising from the temporary closure of the church
- Hazards arising from now using the church in a different way

Read the guidance and think about how it relates specifically to your church. What constraints are there? Consider how people will arrive at the church, including if they will need to wait or queue outside; how people will enter and leave the church; circulation inside: from the entrance to the worship space and out again; circulation within the worship space; also access to other areas including the toilet(s).

Consider who might be harmed and how? Read the guidance and think about how the activities you are planning will affect different groups of people. The risks are not different for larger churches so long as they are properly managed, but having more people coming through your building makes the possible impact – for example of someone with COVID-19 coming into contact with others – higher than in smaller venues with fewer people. Consider your particular circumstances and adapt the checklist below as appropriate.

Using the risk assessment checklist below as a template:
- add in mitigations for any risks that are particular to your circumstances that may not be on the list;
- record what you need to do for each activity to go ahead safely;
- consider any equipment you need and any temporary changes you might need to make to the church;
- check back against your list of activities to confirm which ones can go ahead and when.

Risk assessment template

Church: Gravesend St Aidan

Assessor’s name: Rev'd Michael Payne

Date completed:

2nd July 2020

Review date:

10th October 2020

Area of Focus	Controls required	Additional information	Action by whom?	Completed – date and name
Access to church buildings for clergy for purposes of private prayer and/or livestreaming General advice on accessing church buildings can be found here.	One point of entry to the church building clearly identified and separate from public entry if possible- Powerhouse Doors	Powerhouse doors
	A suitable lone working policy has been consulted if relevant.	N/A
	Buildings have been aired before use.		Vicar
	Check for animal waste and general cleanliness.		Vicar
	Ensure water systems are flushed through before use.	See Government Guidance for organisations on supplying safe water supplies	Vicar/Health and Safety Officer
	Switch on and check electrical and heating systems if needed. Commission system checks as necessary.		Vicar/ H&S Officer
	Holy water stoups and the font are empty.	No Stoups	Vicar
	Ensure safe use of equipment needed for livestreaming: avoid exceeding safe load on sockets, cables/tripod causing trip hazard	N/A
Deciding whether to open to the public	Discuss with nearby venues and businesses to ensure that the timing and practical arrangements for using the church are compatible.	N/A
	Update your website, A Church Near You, and any relevant social media.	Weekly Updates	Vicar
	Consider if a booking system is needed, whether for general access or for specific events/services	Booking system for services	Vicar/Wardens
	If opening to tourists consider applying for the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ standard mark	N/A	N/A
Preparation of the Church for access by members of the public for any permitted purposes, including worship and tourism	Confirm that all steps (above) for access by clergy have been carried out before anyone else accesses the building.	Yes	Vicar/wardens
	Review CofE guide on cleaning church buildings. Complete the ‘cleaning’ section of this risk assessment (below).		Vicar/Wardens
	Choose one point of entry into the church to manage flow of people and indicate this with notices, keeping emergency exits available at all times. Where possible use a different exit.	Entrance: Powerhouse (WCs for handwashing) Exit: Main doors (hand sanitizer available)
	Make any temporary arrangements for people to wait or queue outside the building (taking into account any consequential risks arising from people gathering outside).	Ground marked with tape	Vicar
	Where possible, doors and windows should be opened temporarily to improve ventilation.	Windows opened 30 mins beforehand.	Wardens
	Remove Bibles/literature/hymn books/leaflets	Done	Vicar
	Cordon off or remove from public access any devotional objects or items (if they are liable to be touched or closely breathed on)	N/A
	Consider if pew cushions/kneelers need to be removed as per government guidance	Not necessary due to 72 hours between services
	Remove or isolate children’s resources and play areas	Done	Vicar
	Walk through the church to plan for physical distancing in seats, aisles, at the altar rail, including safe flow of visitors. Remember 2m in all directions from each person (or 1m with risk mitigation if absolutely necessary).	Done	Vicar and Standing Cttee
	Clearly mark out seating areas including exclusion zones to maintain distancing.	Done	Vicar
	Clearly mark out flow of movement for people entering and leaving the building to maintain physical distancing requirements.	Done	Vicar
	Limit access to places were the public does not need go, maybe with a temporary cordon in needed.		Powerhouse stairs and pulpit steps cordoned off.
	Determine placement of hand sanitisers available for visitors to use.	Done	Vicar/PCC Treasurer
	Determine if temporary changes are needed to the building to facilitate social distancing	N/A
	Put up notices to remind visitors about important safe practices e.g. no physical contact, practice hand washing etc.	Done	Vicar
	Ensure high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes	Following each service, if second service added on same day	Vicar/PCC
	Check that handwashing facilities have adequate soap provision and paper towels, and a bin for the paper towels.	Done
	Where there are toilet facilities, ensure an adequate supply of soap and disposable hand towels, and a bin for towels, are available.	Done
	Ensure all waste receptacles have disposable liners (e.g. polythene bin bags) to reduce the risk to those responsible for removing them.	Done
	If possible, provide safe means for worshippers and visitors to record their name and contact details; retain each day’s record for 21 days
	Give due notice of the resumption of use of the building to neighbours, congregation and wider community, ensuring that visitors and worshippers will know what to expect when they come.	Social media, website, notice boards
Cleaning the church before and after general use (no known exposure to anyone with Coronavirus symptoms) Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here.	If the church building has been closed for 72 hours between periods of being open then there is no need for extra cleaning to remove the virus from surfaces.
	If 72-hour closure is not possible then check all cleaners are not in a vulnerable group or self-isolating.	Done
	Set up a cleaning rota to cover your opening arrangements.	Done, regarding 72 hr gaps. In the case of extra services on Sundays: rota-d cleaners to clean 'high touch' surfaces such as doors, door handles, pew ends and book ledges, light switches, window fastenings, prayer desks, etc.
	All cleaners provided with gloves (ideally disposable).	Done
	Suitable cleaning materials provided, depending on materials and if historic surfaces are to be cleaned.	Done
	Confirm person responsible for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site.		Vicar/Warden(s)
	Confirm the frequency for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site – suggested daily removal.	Twice-weekly, as per service schedule
Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms	If possible close the church building for 72 hours with no access permitted.	Planned for
	If 72-hour closure is not possible then follow Public Health England guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.	72 hr closure is possible.
	If the building has been quarantined for 72 hours, then carry out cleaning as per the normal advice on cleaning.	Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here.

Risk Assessment for Opening the Church Hall (St Aidan's Church Hall/Christopher Centre)

Version Control

Issue Date	Version Number	Issued by
6th August 2020	5	The House of Bishops COVID-19 Recovery Group

This update includes risk factors around the requirement to wear face coverings in places of worship from 8th August.

Future versions of this document will be produced when there is any substantive change to the guidance on the safe use of places of worship.

A separate risk assessment relating to contractors and construction workers is available on the Church of England Coronavirus pages.

Carrying out a risk assessment

Agree what activities you are planning for:
- Private prayer (clergy only)
- Livestreaming services (clergy only)
- Private prayer (general public)
- Public worship
- Rites of passage services
- Opening for visitors and tourists

Consider the hazards:
- Transmission of COVID-19
- Hazards arising from the temporary closure of the church
- Hazards arising from now using the church in a different way

Consider who might be harmed and how? Read the guidance and think about how the activities you are planning will affect different groups of people. The risks are not different for larger churches so long as they are properly managed, but having more people coming through your building makes the possible impact – for example of someone with COVID-19 coming into contact with others – higher than in smaller venues with fewer people. Consider your particular circumstances and adapt the checklist below as appropriate.

Using the risk assessment checklist below as a template:
- add in mitigations for any risks that are particular to your circumstances that may not be on the list;
- record what you need to do for each activity to go ahead safely;
- consider any equipment you need and any temporary changes you might need to make to the church;
- check back against your list of activities to confirm which ones can go ahead and when.

Risk assessment template

Parish: St Aidan, Gravesend

Assessor’s name: Rev'd Michael Payne

Date completed:

25.8.2020

Review date:

25.10.2020

Area of Focus	Controls required	Additional information	Action by whom?	Completed – date and name
Access to Hall for church groups, external hirers and as a place of worship. General advice on accessing church buildings can be found here.	One point of entry to the building clearly identified	Main entrance/exit	Done	In each case this RA is maintained by parish staff/Vicar.
	A suitable lone working policy has been consulted if relevant.	N/A
	Buildings have been aired before use.	Routine practice	Booking Secretary/parish staff
	Check for animal waste and general cleanliness.	Routine practice	As above
	Ensure water systems are flushed through before use.	Done and will be routinely checked.	As above
	Switch on and check electrical and heating systems if needed. Commission system checks as necessary.	Periodic checks regularly carried out	Parish H&S officer

	Ensure safe use of equipment needed for livestreaming: avoid exceeding safe load on sockets, cables/tripod causing trip hazard	N/A
Deciding whether to open to the public	Discuss with nearby venues and businesses to ensure that the timing and practical arrangements for using the church are compatible.	No compatibility issues.
	Update your website, A Church Near You, and any relevant social media.
	Consider if a booking system is needed, whether for general access or for specific events/services	Each hirer will closely monitor attendance as per capacity which may vary according to event.	Hirers must stipulate their capacity and attendance procedures in their RA.
	If opening to tourists consider applying for the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ standard mark	N/A
Face Coverings	Currently mandatory	Hirers are responsible for ensuring attenders use face coverings. Signage in place
Preparation of the Hall for access by members of the public for any permitted purposes, including worship and tourism	Confirm that all steps (above) for access by clergy/church officers have been carried out before anyone else accesses the building.	Done	Vicar/parish officers in each case below
	Review CofE guide on cleaning church buildings. Complete the ‘cleaning’ section of this risk assessment (below).	Done
	Read the CofE guide on face coverings and produce signage or other relevant materials to indicate compliance with the law requiring these for all except those exempt.	Done
	Choose one point of entry into the building to manage flow of people and indicate this with notices, keeping emergency exits available at all times. Where possible use a different exit.	Different exit not possible, except in emergency. Safe management of movement required at entrance.
	Make any temporary arrangements for people to wait or queue outside the building (taking into account any consequential risks arising from people gathering outside).	2m distance marked on ground
	Where possible, doors and windows should be opened temporarily to improve ventilation.	Routinely observed
	Remove Bibles/literature/hymn books/leaflets	N/A


	Remove or isolate children’s resources and play areas	N/A
	Walk through the Hall to plan for physical distancing in seats, aisles, at the altar rail, including safe flow of visitors. Remember 2m in all directions from each person (or 1m with risk mitigation if absolutely necessary).	No 1m mitigation. Hirer and church staff to agree capacity for each event within gov't limits. 2m distance to be applied.
	Clearly mark out seating areas including exclusion zones to maintain distancing.	Hirers are responsible for this, as seating is cleared by hirer after each period of hire.
	Clearly mark out flow of movement for people entering and leaving the building to maintain physical distancing requirements.	As above, as the floor space is used differently according to event.
	Limit access to places where the public does not need go, maybe with a temporary cordon if needed.	As above
	Determine placement of hand sanitisers available for visitors to use.	Available, but hirers are encouraged to supply sanitizing equipment.
	Determine if temporary changes are needed to the building to facilitate social distancing	N/A
	Put up notices to remind visitors about important safe practices e.g. no physical contact, practice hand washing etc.	Done
	Ensure high-risk surfaces and touch points have been wiped with appropriate sanitiser spray or disposable wipes	Daily and weekly deep clean
	Check that handwashing facilities have adequate soap provision and paper towels, and a bin for the paper towels.	Checked daily
	Where there are toilet facilities, ensure an adequate supply of soap and disposable hand towels, and a bin for towels, are available.	Checked daily
	Ensure all waste receptacles have disposable liners (e.g. polythene bin bags) to reduce the risk to those responsible for removing them.	Hirers remove rubbish from site in sealed bags.
	If possible, provide safe means for worshippers and visitors to record their name and contact details; retain each day’s record for 21 days	Hirers are to supply the means to record this data.
	Give due notice of the resumption of use of the building to neighbours, congregation and wider community, ensuring that visitors and worshippers will know what to expect when they come.	Hirers contacted. Only long term bookings are being taken at present.
Cleaning the church before and after general use (no known exposure to anyone with Coronavirus symptoms) Advice on cleaning church buildings can be found here.	If the building has been closed for 72 hours between periods of being open then there is no need for extra cleaning to remove the virus from surfaces.	Building will be used daily in term time.
	If 72-hour closure is not possible then check all cleaners are not in a vulnerable group or self-isolating.	Done
	Set up a cleaning rota to cover your opening arrangements.	Done
	All cleaners provided with gloves (ideally disposable).	Done
	Suitable cleaning materials provided, depending on materials and if historic surfaces are to be cleaned.	Done
	Confirm person responsible for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site.		Cleaner/church officer
	Confirm the frequency for removing potentially contaminated waste (e.g. hand towels) from the site – suggested daily removal.	Daily in term time.
Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms	If possible close the building for 72 hours with no access permitted.	Not possible in term time (unless a major outbreak)
	If 72-hour closure is not possible then follow Public Health England guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.	Done
	If the building has been quarantined for 72 hours, then carry out cleaning as per the normal advice on cleaning.	Noted.

Upcoming Events

Friday 6th December

9:00am -

Holy Rosary

Sunday 8th December

10:00am -

Sung Parish Eucharist with Sunday School

Wednesday 11th December

8:30am -

Morning Prayer (said)

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