Risk Assessment for Sunday Morning Worship

(Completed by the Risk Assessment Committee: 7 March 2022)

Hazards

These include:

  • Aerosol or droplet transmission of Covid-19
  • Surface Transmission of Covid-19
  • Visitors are unclear on requirements for attending church, or anxious about attending.
  • Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms

Risk: Aerosol or droplet transmission of Covid-19

  • We will leave doors open as far as possible in the warm weather during services.
  • Social distancing will be encouraged; alternate pews are still taped off
  • There is a 180cm gap between pews, but people will be facing the same direction, reducing risk of transmission. People should not sit immediately behind each other.
  • Holy Communion will continue to be administered at the foot of the Chancel steps.
  • Members are ushered up to Holy Communion.

Risk: Surface Transmission of Covid-19

  • Hand sanitiser is available (a) at the entrance to the porch; (b) at the entrance to the church; (c) as people go up for Holy Communion; (d) at entrance to the toilets. People are encouraged to use it.
  • Holy Communion is offered every other week.
  • Communion wine is not offered at the moment. We will discuss this again if/when infections drop below 100 per 100,000 in Oldham.
  • Any Communion bread is prepared only by the priest; covered with a cloth while the priest is speaking; and administered by the priest with sanitised hands.
  • Holy Communion is administered at the foot of the Chancel steps, not at the altar rail, to prevent contact with others.
  • Doors will be left open as far as possible, so people do not need to touch the handles.
  • Liturgy is available (a) on the screen; (b) in Service books that have not been used for at least 72 hours.
  • Cleaning takes place every month.
  • Very few items are shared between different people. Only on the Lectern.
  • In the toilets, an adequate supply of soap and disposable hand towels, and a bin for towels, are available.
  • All waste receptacles have disposable liners.
  • Litter picks are used for picking up litter.
  • High-contact surfaces will be sanitised before/during the services.
  • Non-contact sharing of the peace will continue.

Risk: Visitors are unclear on requirements for attending church or visiting the building for other purposes, or anxious about attending.

  • We communicate requirements and expectations via the Church Website, especially when they change.
  • We provide detailed welcoming notices that outline safety measures.
  • No booking system is required

Risk: Cleaning the church after known exposure to someone with Coronavirus symptoms