Risk Assessment

COVID-19 Risk Assessment for reopening Bishop Auckland Methodist Church for Worship

Address	21 Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL14 6EN
Area of Building Assesses	Main Church Building and Adjoining Hall
Assessment undertaken by	John Purdy
Date to be reviewed
Version	1 [21 July 2020]

SECTION 1: RISKS/ISSUES TO REOPENING CHURCH BUILDING – Individuals aged 70 years and over – Government guidance states. “Certain groups of people may be at increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19, including people who are aged 70 or older, regardless of medical conditions. Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and ,if they go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.”
Almost all our Church Stewards and key leaders are aged 70 or over, and thus fall in the category of being at increased risk.	Church Stewards Door Stewards Preacher Congregation	3	3	9	Some of the Church Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Others may be self-isolating or unwilling to help at the moment. We cannot open without Church Stewards. We could appoint additional younger stewards.	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient available for safely reopening the church. If sufficient Church Stewards are available Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk. Additional appointments as needed.
Almost all our Property Stewards and key leaders in maintaining the building are aged 70 or over, and thus at increased risk. No current cleaner.	Property Stewards Caretaker/Cleaner	3	3	7	Our Property Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Property Stewards are needed to take the lead in preparatory work for reopening in absence of cleaner.	Property Stewards to confirm if they are available for preparatory work. Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk and/or seek alternatives.
Almost all our Door Stewards are aged 70 or over.	Door Stewards Church Stewards Preacher Congregation	3	3	8	Some of the Door Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Others may be self-isolating or unwilling to help at the moment. We could appoint additional younger stewards. We could put up a shield for steward to stand behind.	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Door Stewards available for reopening the church and Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk, or if there are other alternatives.
Our cleaner/caretaker is on leave and our back up volunteer cleaners are mostly aged 70 or over.	Caretaker/Cleaner Volunteers	3	3	9	Some of our volunteers may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? We could bring in contract cleaners.	Working Group to consider whether we should ask volunteers to take the risk and/or what alternatives might be possible. Treasurer to guide on finance available to bring in outside cleaners
Almost all our Communion Stewards are aged 70 or over.	Stewards Preacher Congregation	3	3	7	Some of the Communion Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Others may be self-isolating or unwilling to help at the moment.	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Communion Stewards available for reopening the church and Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk. Working Group to consider whether there are alternative ways to hold Communion, or if Communion should be held at all.
Almost all our Wedding Stewards are aged 70 or over.	Stewards Minister Wedding Guests	1	3	4	Some of the Wedding Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk?	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Wedding Stewards available for reopening the church for these special occasions Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk, or not open for Weddings
Almost all our Funeral Stewards are aged 70 or over.	Stewards Minister Funeral family Funeral directors	2	3	6	Some of the Funeral Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk?	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Funeral Stewards available for reopening the church for these special occasions Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk, or not open for Funerals
Almost all our Baptismal Stewards are aged 70 or over.	Stewards Minister Baptism families (inc. infant)	3	3	9	Some of the Baptismal Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening and Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Can the baptism be held mid-week, or in the lounge? Increased level of children is a risk	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Baptismal Stewards available for reopening the church Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk, or not open for Baptisms
Almost all our congregation is aged 70 or over.	Whole Church	3	3	9	Some of the congregation may wish to attend Worship but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Others may be self-isolating or unwilling to attend at the moment. Applying 2 metre rule restricts numbers Can services also be mid-week? Relaying services to homes via YouTube or tel.	Pastoral Visitors and Stewards to contact as many members as possible to gather their views on attending Church if it reopens. Are members happy with 3 step process already outlined on website etc.? Working Group to consider if by opening some feel ‘compelled’ to take the risk, or if reopening should be delayed to a later date.
Almost all our Open House Team and Bookings Stewards are aged 70 or over.	People attending other events	2	3	6	Some of the Stewards may feel they are willing to help with reopening the building to others but should we as a Church be asking them to take that risk? Added use of building will require more cleaning, and possibly ‘deep cleaning’ if not carefully planned.	Church Stewards to confirm if there are sufficient Stewards available for reopening the church to others Working Group to consider whether we should ask them to take the risk, or not open to other groups/events
SECTION 2: RISKS/ISSUES IN PREPARING TO REOPENING CHURCH BUILDING FOR FIRST TIME
Cleaning of Church before reopening	Whole Church	2	2	6	Cleaning Churches states, “When reopening the building for the first time, a deep clean for Covid-19 is not necessary but a normal clean is recommended.” Advice exists on what is necessary before reopening.	Confirm volunteers are available to clean prior to reopening. If not, consider what alternatives might be possible.
On-going cleaning after reopening	Whole Church	2	2	6	Cleaning Churches states, “..if there are 72 hours between groups using the building, then cleaning for Covid-19 is not required.” This indicates if we are only opening for Sunday Worship, or one mid-week activity elsewhere in the building, a normal cleaning rota (weekly for toilets and monthly for general Church clean) would be sufficient, except where additional activities take place.	Confirm volunteers are available for regular cleaning. If not, consider what alternatives might be possible.
Church made Covid-19 secure					Determine maximum numbers that would be allowed given social distancing requirements of 2 metres. Establish a one-way system including arrangements for wheelchair users. Decide where anti-bacterial wipes/liquid and sanitising stations should be, the amounts required, purchase supplies and set up Ensure processes are in place for reordering supplies, e.g. who reorders etc Decide where signage/floor markings are required and set up Ensure arrangements are communicated to Church Stewards, Door Stewards and Church members along with any restrictions/requirements Set up track and trace process, forms etc for Church visitors (including review and disposal of forma after 21 days)	Working Group/Property Stewards Working Group/Property Stewards Working Group/Property Stewards Working group/Property Stewards Working group/Property Stewards Working Group/Church Stewards Working Group
Use of audio/visual equipment	Whole Church / Tech Team / Preacher	3	2	5	The use of books etc by the congregation is discouraged. We could provide one use sheets but these would have to be prepared every week. The use of audio/ visual equipment is encouraged, for playing recorded music, displaying service information etc. This would require the preparing of slides and people willing to set up and operate the equipment during Worship. Additional recording / streaming of video / audio to congregation at home enables more people to access worship and to do so in a safe manner. This is encouraged and supported by CLT, District and Connexion. Additional finance is needed for video aspect and go ahead from Church Council for audio proposal.	Working Group Tech Team (expanded) Church Council
SECTION 3: RISKS/ISSUES FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
Entrance to, and exit from Church building	Door Stewards Church Stewards Congregation Preacher	2	2	6	Ensure entrance and exit doors are kept open as much as possible to reduce need to touch door handles, and allow increased ventilation before, during and after service. Ensure door handles are wiped with anti-bacterial wipes before service commences and after service concludes Ensure anti-bacterial wipes/spray and paper towel/roll are available in front and rear entrances for use as required during services times Ensure hand sanitiser is available at front and rear doors for people to use as the enter/leave the premises Ensure all complete track and trace forms and number limit is enforced.	Church/ Door Stewards
Main body of Church before, during and after Worship	Preacher Congregation	2	3	8	Ensure social distance requirements are adhered to Ensure maximum capacity is not exceeded (maximum 30 ?but maybe less when Church marked out for social distancing) Ensure audio/visual equipment is sanitised before and after use, e.g. by wiping controls/remote/ mics with anti-bacterial wipes Ensure an orderly exit after the service – one row at a time, discourage groups/individuals from chatting in the building and along path and in car park.	Church/Door Stewards
Vestry	Preacher Church Stewards	2	2	6	Ensure vestry doors, light switches are sanitised before and after use Ensure hand sanitiser is available in vestry for use by Stewards and Preacher Ensure access to vestry is limited to only those who need to use it Ensure social distance between stewards/preacher is maintained	Stewards and Preacher to discuss the need to use vestry beforehand (if vestry is not needed, it reduces numbers of stewards needed, reduces interpersonal contact and reduces number of rooms needing cleaned.)
Toilets	Congregation Door Stewards Church Stewards Preacher	2	3	7	Ensure paper towel dispenser is adequately stocked Ensure adequate supply of anti-bacterial handwash is available Ensure adequate supply of anti-bacterial wipes are available for toilet user to wipe seat, cistern handle and door handle Ensure waste bin available in toilet for disposal of anti-bacterial wipes Ensure social distancing is maintained if there are queues for the toilet	Church Stewards (Shorter acts of worship and reduced time in building should reduce need for toilet facilities) (The closest toilet should be used rather than going right through the building opening various doors unnecessarily)
Collection	Congregation Church Stewards	2	2	5	Encourage giving through standing orders/other electronic money transfer schemes wherever possible Giving plate cannot be passed around. The offertory plate can be left on a table and then afterwards should be stored in the safe for at least 72 hours before the collection is counted No individual should be asked to handle money unless they are willing to do so.	Church Treasurer/Gift Aid Secretary Door Steward (or whoever takes collection) Church Stewards/Church Treasurer to discuss who counts the money where and when to enable both Covid-19 security and financial security
SECTION 4: SPECIAL SERVICES – The Methodist Church has produced on guidance on special considerations for Communion, Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms. This is attached at the end of this document. I suggest these will need to be discussed with the Minister and relevant parties, i.e. Church Stewards, Wedding Stewards, Funeral Stewards and Baptismal Secretary, as to how they should operate.

Specific Considerations for Communion

• The elements essential to the celebration of communion are allowed, namely bread and grape juice.

• Careful thought needs to be given to the form of the elements and to how they will be distributed. Wafers are preferable, and can easily be sourced online.

• It is important, also, to remember that communion received in ‘one kind ‘(i.e. bread only) is perfectly valid in our tradition and that of our ecumenical partners. This may be considered as an option if there are concerns over safely distributing of grape juice as outlined in more detail below.

• Those handling any specific items related to the celebration of communion should wash their hands thoroughly before and after, or alternatively wear gloves. It is advisable to keep hand sanitiser available during the service to allow for frequent cleansing of hands, for instance just before, and if necessary, during, distribution.

• Care should be taken in the preparation of the sacraments to ensure that individuals do not come into contact with the elements. It is recommended that shared receptacles are not used (i.e. no common cup and a common plate only if great care is taken, as described below), and if possible, items which involve minimal preparation should be used.

• If there is to be an act of passing the peace, it should occur only verbally and at a proper distance.

• Speaking over the sacrament is not allowed unless it is securely covered. The prayer of thanksgiving should therefore happen over covered elements, or be offered at an appropriate distance from them when uncovered. The breaking of the bread and lifting of the cup should happen in silence.

• The distribution of the sacrament should be undertaken with a view to maintaining current social distancing measures. Any persons distributing and receiving communion should ensure that they can do this in such a way as to avoid contact between each other, or alternatively to wear gloves. If contact is made then both parties should immediately wash their hands.

• It is preferable to use wafers, and either distribute them at arm’s length, ensuring that there is no physical contact between minister and communicant, or to allow communicants to take their own wafer from a common plate, on which the wafers have been spaced apart. If a larger loaf is used in the consecration, it should not be distributed, except for the minister’s consumption, unless there is absolute scrupulousness about hand-cleansing, keeping an arm’s length away from communicants, and ensuring that hands do not touch when placing the bread in their palms.

• Similarly, if wine is to be distributed, individual cups should be used and offered to communicants to take from the tray themselves.

• If individuals are distributing the elements, they should do so in silence, so as to avoid increasing the possibility of infection.

• All items used in the celebration of communion should be disposed of safely or thoroughly washed after use, ensuring that those handling them wear gloves to avoid transfer of the virus.

• Clear guidance should be given to the congregation before the service begins about how it will proceed and the arrangements for receiving the elements.

Specific Considerations for Weddings

• The Government has produced additional supporting COVID-19 Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships.

• Marriage ceremonies should have no more than 30 people in attendance, and social distancing should be strictly adhered to following a risk assessment.

• Note that 30 is a maximum number as a guide and that Managing Trustees have an obligation to assess if this is a safe number to accommodate. If after risk assessment it is found that a chapel can only accommodate a lower number safely, then this would be the maximum for this particular chapel.

• If possible, ceremonies should be concluded in the shortest reasonable time, and limited as far as reasonable to the parts of the marriage ceremony required in order to be legally binding under the law of England and Wales.

• In terms of social distancing it should also be noted that this will also apply to those administering the service, the marriage couple or those taking a lead role in the marriage service. Unless of course any are members of the same household or social bubble.

• Where rings are exchanged, those involved should wash their hands before and after and the rings should be handled by as few as people as possible.

• All spoken voices should use a PA system where possible or practical. Specifically projecting or raising voices should be avoided.

• It should be considered how those who fall within a vulnerable group are able to attend safely as it is important that those who wish to attend are able to safely.

• It is important to liaise and communicate with the parties involved in advance. This will ensure that controls and expectations on the day are managed sensitively:

o Communication of agreed arrangements in the chapel.

o Basic arrangement for cleaning and hygiene.

o Knowledge of numbers attending and potential seating plan.

Specific Considerations for Funerals

• The Government has produced additional supporting COVID-19: Guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic.

• Funeral ceremonies should have no more than 30 people in attendance, and social distancing should be strictly adhered to following a risk assessment.

• The guidance suggests the following can attend, in addition to the Funeral Director and staff, church steward and minister:

o Members of the person’s household;

o close family members;

o or close friends if family members are unable to attend;

• It should be considered how those who fall within a vulnerable group are able to attend safely as it is important that those who wish to attend are able to safely.

• All spoken voices should use a PA system where possible or practical. Specifically projecting or raising voices should be avoided.

• It is important to liaise and communicate with the parties involved in advance. This will ensure that controls and expectations on the day are managed sensitively. The Funeral Director may be able to facilitate many of these communications and arrangements so that they minimise the additional responsibility for organisation on the bereaved. Such arrangements and communications could include:

o Communication of agreed arrangements in the chapel.

o Basic arrangement for cleaning and hygiene.

o Knowledge of numbers attending and potential seating plan.

o Ability to assess if there are parties who are clinically vulnerable and therefore being able to make additional arrangements and advise others to be aware and sympathetic to this.

Specific Considerations for Baptisms

• The Government makes reference to baptisms within the context of what it defines as Other Life Cycle ceremonies, which is part of the overall reopening churches guidance.

• Although this is not normally part of Methodist tradition, if baptisms are carried out separately to a normal service, they should have no more than 30 people in attendance, and social distancing should be strictly adhered to following a risk assessment.

• When the baptism takes place during a normal service then the number could be greater than 30 as long as it remains within the maximum number of people who can be seated in the chapel safely, as calculated in the risk assessment.

• If possible, ceremonies should be concluded in the shortest reasonable time.

• Water is required for the ceremony, and that is acceptable, but attention should be given to hygiene guidance including handwashing prior to and after the ceremony, and only small amounts of water are to use to avoid splashing. A shell or other small receptacle can be used for the imposition of the water.

• Only a minimum number of people should gather immediately around the child or adult being baptised to avoid being splashed by water and in order to maintain social distancing.

• If the person being baptised is a baby or infant, then they should be held by their parent or guardian or other member of the child’s regular household only.

• It should be considered how those who fall within a vulnerable group are able to attend safely as it is important that those who wish to attend are able to safely.

• All spoken voices should use a PA system where possible or practical. Specifically projecting or raising voices should be avoided.

• It is important to liaise and communicate with the parties involved in advance. This will ensure that controls and expectations on the day are managed sensitively:

o Communication of agreed arrangements in the chapel.

o Basic arrangement for cleaning and hygiene.

o Knowledge of numbers attending and potential seating plan.

o Ability to assess if there are parties who are clinically vulnerable and therefore being able to make additional arrangements and advise others to be aware and sympathetic to this.

Guidance – COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic – Updated 17 July 2020

Complete Government guidance should be read – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july

It includes:

Face coverings

Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and will be mandatory in shops and in supermarkets from 24 July 2020. People are also encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet, such as a place of worship. Relevant guidance on face coverings is available on GOV.UK.

Protecting the vulnerable

There should be a particular focus on protecting people who are clinically vulnerable and more likely to develop severe illness. Actions should include:

Religious leaders, lay people, family, volunteers, staff and members of the public, including children, staying at home and self-isolating if they have a new, continuous cough or a high temperature or loss of or change to sense of smell or taste. This is to minimise risk of spread of COVID-19 to friends, the wider community, and particularly the vulnerable.

Individuals who are shielding should continue to follow the government’s advice on shielding.

If anyone becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 in a place of worship they should go home immediately and be advised to follow the stay at home guidance, which covers NHS Test and Trace. If they need clinical advice, they should go online to NHS 111 (or call 111 if they don’t have internet access). In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. They should not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.

Other people who may have been in contact with the person who has become unwell should wash their hands thoroughly after the interaction, but they do not need to take any other specific action unless they develop symptoms themselves or are advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace. If they do develop symptoms they should follow the stay at home guidance.

Individuals aged 70 years and over attending the place of worship

Certain groups of people may be at increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19, including people who are aged 70 or older, regardless of medical conditions.

Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

You should consider informing these groups in particular of the symptoms of COVID-19 and current stay alert and social distancing guidance.