Churches and Places of Worship are unique environments. They are often open to everyone — from young children to elderly members of the congregation — and host a wide variety of activities throughout the week. This variety is exactly why Health and Safety is so important: every activity you run brings people into your building, and every person has the right to be safe while they are there.
⚠️ It does not matter whether your group leaders are paid staff or volunteers — the same legal duty of care applies. If someone is harmed at one of your activities and no Risk Assessment was in place, your church and its leaders could be held personally responsible.
Which Activities Need a Risk Assessment?
The short answer is: all of them. Any activity that takes place on your premises — or that your church organises off-site — requires a Risk Assessment. Below are some of the most common activities and the key safety considerations for each.
Youth Groups & Children's Activities
Working with children brings additional responsibilities. Your Risk Assessment must consider:
- Safe access and exits for children
- Age-appropriate activities and equipment
- Supervision ratios
- Safeguarding procedures alongside H&S
- Allergies and medical conditions
- First aid provision on site
Bible Study & Small Groups
Even quiet indoor gatherings need basic consideration:
- Safe access for all, including those with mobility issues
- Adequate lighting in meeting rooms
- Fire evacuation routes known to all attendees
- Hot drink provision — scalding is a common hazard
- Trailing cables from projectors or laptops
Mums & Toddlers Groups
One of the highest-risk activities due to the age range involved:
- Floor surfaces — trip hazards and wet floors
- Toy safety and age-appropriate equipment
- Secure exits so children cannot wander
- Nappy changing facilities and hygiene
- Food and drink — choking and allergy risks
- Adequate first aid cover for young children
Choir & Music Groups
Often overlooked, but worth considering:
- Safe storage and handling of heavy equipment (speakers, amplifiers)
- Trailing cables from microphones and instruments
- Choir risers/staging — fall prevention
- Noise levels and hearing protection where relevant
Coffee Mornings & Social Events
Popular and important community events with specific risks:
- Hot water and beverage scalding risks
- Food preparation and allergen management
- Slip hazards from spills
- Overcrowding and emergency exit awareness
- Elderly attendees — trip hazards and seating safety
Evening Events & Fundraisers
Larger or one-off events need particular attention:
- Temporary staging, tables or decorations
- Lighting levels in darker evening conditions
- Alcohol — if served, additional risk considerations apply
- Parking and outdoor access in low light
- Ensuring all volunteers know the emergency plan
Outside Activities & Off-Site Trips
If your church organises activities away from your building:
- A Risk Assessment is still required even off-site
- Transport safety and vehicle checks
- Emergency contact details for all participants
- Medical information for vulnerable or young attendees
- Weather conditions for outdoor activities
Maintenance & Volunteer Work
Working parties and maintenance days carry real risks:
- Use of ladders and working at height
- Power tools and equipment
- Chemical substances such as cleaning products or paint
- Manual handling of heavy items
- Ensuring only competent people undertake specialist tasks
What About Regular Sunday Services?
Your Sunday service may seem routine, but it still needs to be covered by a Risk Assessment. The combination of large numbers of people, varying ages and abilities, and the use of electrical equipment (PA systems, projectors, lighting rigs) all introduce risks that need to be managed. A Fire Risk Assessment is also a legal requirement for any service or event held in your building.
Do Volunteers Count?
Yes, absolutely. The law does not distinguish between paid employees and volunteers when it comes to duty of care. If a volunteer is harmed whilst helping at one of your activities, or if a member of the public is harmed and there was no Risk Assessment in place, the church leadership could face legal proceedings. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations apply regardless of whether anyone is paid.
Good practice tip: Keep a simple record of all your Risk Assessments and review them at least once a year — or whenever an activity, the building, or the people involved change significantly. Written records show you have taken your responsibilities seriously and provide important protection if anything ever goes wrong.
Hiring Out Your Building?
If you hire out your church hall or rooms to outside groups — such as a community fitness class, a nursery, or a local society — you still have responsibilities as the building owner. You should ensure that hirers are made aware of your fire safety procedures, emergency exits, and the location of first aid equipment. A hire agreement should include Health and Safety responsibilities, and you should retain an up-to-date Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment for the building at all times.
Specialist Pages for Churches
We Can Help Your Church Stay Safe
We specialise in working with Churches and Places of Worship. We will visit your premises, carry out a thorough Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment, and help you understand what you need to put in place for each of your activities — in plain, straightforward language.
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