As church life picks up again after the summer, now is the perfect moment to ensure your buildings, policies and procedures are ready for a new season of ministry. With groups restarting, services in full swing and more people using your facilities, it is vital to confirm that everything is safe, compliant and up to date.
Here are some key areas to review as your church gets back into its regular rhythm. You can also download our quick and easy checklist.
Building safety
- Gas safety – Make sure your annual certification is current for all gas appliances. Book a Gas Safe approved engineer to carry out your annual certification for all gas appliances.
- Electrical safety – Confirm fixed wire testing (every five years) is up to date and that Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) has been carried out in the past year.
- Fire safety – Ensure extinguishers, alarms and emergency lighting have been tested and serviced before your building fills up again. Arrange for a qualified engineer to test and service fire extinguishers alarms and emergency lighting annually.
Useful links for qualified engineers:
- Gas Safe Register – Gas Safe Register – The Official List of Gas Safe Registered Businesses
- NICEIC approved contractors – NICEIC | UK Electrical Certification and Training
- HSE Fire Safety – HSE: Information about health and safety at work
- Independent register of fire safety organisations – BAFE Registered Organisation Search
Policies and governance
With ministries restarting, it is a good time to check that policies are up to date and reflect your church’s current needs. This includes:
- Safeguarding (review annually)
- Finance
- Data protection
- Employment
- Media and communications
Trustees should also review safeguarding and other key policies for accountability and best practice. For safeguarding support, see Christian Safeguarding Services.
Risk assessments
- Fire Risk Assessment – Review and update annually to ensure your building remains safe. CGT Fire Risk Assessment resources can help – Fire Risk Assessments – Church Growth Trust.
- Health & Safety Risk Assessment – Update regularly to reflect new groups, activities, or events planned for the term ahead. Ecclesiastical’s risk assessment tools are useful too – Self Assessment for Churches | Risk Management.
Food safety
If you are planning coffee mornings, youth clubs, or community meals this autumn, remember that food hygiene regulations apply whether or not you charge for refreshments.
For more, see CGT’s Practical Guide – 2023-04-Food-Safety-and-Churches-1.pdf
Copyright
As worship times get back into full swing make sure your church holds the right licences for projecting reproducing, livestreaming and performing music, including pre-recorded music during services and events. You can find guidance on the CCLI website – CCLI® – Licensing and solutions for your church [UK].
First aid
- Check your First Aid kit and replace any expired items
- If your church employs staff, this is a legal requirement
- Confirm whether someone is First Aid trained and ensure their certificate is in date (requalification required every three years).
First aid training is available through St John Ambulance – First Aid Courses | St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross – Book a first aid course with the British Red Cross.
Insurance
- Check if your public liability insurance is in date and whether the cover still adequately reflects the needs of your church activities.
- Ensure your buildings insurance is current. If you are planning any building works during the year you must notify your insurer.
