Health and Safety Policy

Purpose

This Policy aims to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART) meets its moral and legal obligations with respect to the management of health and safety.

Introduction

ART was formed in March 2012 to develop and support the delivery, integrity, and standards in the teaching, instruction and education in the art of change ringing.

ART has no direct responsibility for the buildings, facilities and bell installations that are normally used either for its activities or for those activities managed/supervised by its members. However, ART recognises that those involved with the management/supervision of these activities have a duty of care regarding their own health and safety, that of others involved, and that of those who may be affected by such activities. Furthermore: as competent bell ringers, its members will often be expected to have specialist knowledge when it comes to managing the risks associated with activities involving tower bells.

Therefore, ART and its members must work in consultation with other stakeholders (e.g. relevant Church authorities) to understand arrangements that are in place at host venues, and to determine their suitability for any given activity. If existing arrangements are considered to be unsuitable/insufficient, then alternative or additional arrangements should be made.

Scope

This policy (and any ‘Code of Practice’, ‘Guidance’ … etc. issued by ART in support of it) applies to all activities that are directly managed by ART, and is issued as part of ART’s guidance to its members regarding activities that they may be involved in managing/supervising but which are not directly managed by ART.

Health and Safety Policy

The Association shall:

1. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that suitable arrangements are put in place to manage the health and safety risks during those activities that are directly managed by ART (e.g. ART Day Courses, Workshops and ART Conferences).
2. Endeavour to provide relevant information and appropriate guidance to its members regarding health and safety arrangements for ringing activities that they may be involved in managing or supervising, but which are not directly managed by ART (e.g. local teaching sessions, demonstrations and training workshops)
3. Endeavour to monitor changes in the relevant UK legislation, and the guidance of the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and other ringing stakeholders (e.g. the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, the Church Authorities … etc.), and periodically review this policy (and any ‘Code of Practice’, ‘Guidance’ … etc. issued by ART in support of it) accordingly
4. Communicate this policy (and any ‘Code of Practice’, ‘Guidance’ … etc. issued by ART in support of it) to all members of the Association, and invite comment on it.