HEALTH AND SAFETY AND FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR TIDESWELL COMMUNITY HALL OUTSIDE SPACE (REAR OF HALL)
Address | Tideswell Community Hall Church Lane Tideswell SK17 8PD |
Used As | Community Centre |
Date of assessment | 15/11/2024 |
Name of assessor | Deborah Willoughby, Kath Longden and Gary Hancock |
Review Date | 15/11/2026 |
Recreational and Storage Area Description |
Tideswell Community Hall is a new purpose-built limestone and block work building with blue slate roof. At the rear is a 5m x 10 m raised area which can be used for recreational purposes. It is accessed from the hall through the double doors at the rear (fire doors) or via an external path to the left of the front entrance around the side and rear of the building (the fire escape route). There is a private access path (right of double doors) around the other side of the Hall which is not open to the public.
There are 8 steps leading up to the raised recreational area, which is fenced by a metal, bow top fence around the perimeter 1.20 metre high. There is panel garden fencing between the adjoining property. The area is covered with a safety surface laid in 2005 for the pre-school group who used the old premises There is a small raised garden bed at the rear of the area.
To the right of the steps there is a private section which is chained off and padlocked this houses the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), a small shed and storage container.
There is a satellite dish located in the north-east corner of the safety surface which is fenced off by a 0.95m tall wooden fence.
There is no dedicated lighting for the recreational and storage areas. There are lights on the rear of the Hall which light the escape route.
The steps to the recreational area are lit with small solar lights.
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How an accident could occur and how to reduce the chances of one |
Area available to potential users. The gate leading onto the public area will be padlocked at all times and only be opened with prior agreement with TCH management when they are satisfied what the user intends to utilise the area for and that they have read and understood the H & S policy.
The private area. The private area is chained off and padlocked and is only accessible to the management and series users to gain access to the equipment in this area.
Garden. The garden area has a raised bed and should not be accessed.
Steps. The steps have a hand rail on one side which should be used at all times. Care should be taken on all the steps as they are uneven but especially the top step which is shallower than the other steps – the edge of this step is marked with a warning yellow paint.
Accidental damage to the recreational area. There are no ball games allowed on the recreational area – clearly signed. Only gas BBQ’s can be used on the recreational area.
Lighting. There is no dedicated lighting for the recreational or storage area.
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People using the recreational area and storage space |
· Users of the area will be members of the public using the Hall for events and meetings and serial users. Access to the recreational area is only available with prior agreement. · Regular users are currently the Cubs and Scouts under supervision of the leaders. · The Management Committee members and the Cubs and Scout leaders will use the private area to access the ASHP and storage containers, and to undertake regular checks of the Hall’s guttering and roof. · Tideswell Cinema Committee Members will have access to their Satellite Dish. · Users of the recreational area must vacate the area before dusk as there is no dedicated lighting.
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Locked Zones and Signage |
· The gate at the top of the steps will be locked at all times and access will only be given to series users who need access and general users with prior agreement and understanding of our H & S policy. · The chain leading to the private area will remain locked – the Management Committee and Cubs and Scouts will be given the combination code. This area will be marked as Private. · On the top shallow step hazard paint defines the edge. · Users of the recreational area must leave whilst there is sufficient light to vacate safely and before dusk.
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Fire Alarm and Escape Lighting |
· If the recreational area is in use and a fire alarm is heard everyone must vacate the area via the fire escape route around the side of the building. · There is external emergency lighting to allow safe access from the area.
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Fire Action |
In the event of alarm activation in the building, dial the emergency number (999), evacuate the recreational area and assemble at the fire assembly point in front of the Cross Daggers Cottages. The responsible person must take a roll call and notify the fire brigade immediately on their arrival if anyone is not accounted for.
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Maintenance and any changes or additions to the recreational and storage area |
The Management Committee will continue to monitor the space and update the risk assessment when necessary.
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Training |
The Management Committee will familiarise themselves with the Health & Safety and Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for the outside space and users will be sent a User’s Guide and the Fire Risk Assessment outside space if utilising this area.
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Summary of Significant Findings |
The outside area will be strictly controlled as to who is allowed to use it and when. Appropriate signs are in place and the management reserves the right to only allow use of the recreational area after they are satisfied the user understands the risk assessment and is willing to comply with it.
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Action Plan |
N/A
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Changes to this Policy
The management committee will update this policy / document in line with legislation, guidance, and operational issues in a timely manner. This document is revision controlled and all updates are to be noted in the revision notes section below.
Policy Adoption
Tideswell and District Voluntary Youth Club Committee formally adopted this policy January 2025 for the purposes of managing the bookings and operations for Tideswell Community Hall.
Revisions –
Revision | Date | Notes |
15th January 2025 | Discussed created following Committee Meeting | |
Tideswell Community Hall – Accessible Outside Space, Fire Risk Assessment – Five Point Plan
FIRE HAZARD | PEOPLE AT RISK | EVALUATE | RECORD & PLAN | INFORM & INSTRUCT | REVIEW |
IGNITION SOURCE | |||||
Faulty electrical equipment | Management Committee members and users, visitors, workmen | No electrical equipment permitted on the recreational area other than when work/repairs are undertaken
| N/A
| Management Committee and users | Policy to maintain no electrical equipment on the recreational area |
Smokers | Management Committee members and users, visitors, workmen | No smoking policy on the recreational area or outside on the property | N/A | No smoking signs | Check signs in good order |
SOURCES OF FUEL | |||||
Flammable substances | Management Committee members and users, visitors, workmen | No flammable substances allowed on the recreational area
| N/A | Management Committee and users
| Policy to maintain no flammable substances allowed on the recreational area |
Waste materials and rubbish | Management Committee members and users, visitors, workmen | Ensure good housekeeping, keep waste material to a minimum on recreational area don’t let rubbish accumulate
| Routine checks | Information in Hall User Guide Management Committee and users, visitors and workmen
| Review housekeeping on a regular basis
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