Resources
Health & Safety
Keeping your staff, volunteers and beneficiaries safe is not just good practice, it’s a legal obligation. Health and safety covers anything that could cause harm while people are involved in your charity’s activities, from office work to events and community outreach.
Legal Context
In Guernsey, charities must comply with the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Law, 1987. This law requires organisations to:
Ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others affected by your activities.
Carry out risk assessments and put measures in place to control hazards.
Provide adequate training, supervision, and information about risks.
Maintain safe work environments, equipment, and procedures.
Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action and reputational damage.
Who the law applies to
The Health and Safety Law applies to organisations that either employ at least one staff member or control non-domestic premises (e.g., a community hall, office, or event space).
Volunteers are generally not covered under the Health and Safety Law if they are not employees, but civil law duties still apply and a charity has a duty of care to anyone taking part in its activities.
Even all-volunteer charities without offices or staff should follow good practice, conduct risk assessments, and take reasonable steps to protect participants.
Insurers and Risk Assessments
Many insurance policies for charities require evidence of risk assessments. Insurers may ask to see that your charity:
Has identified hazards and evaluated risks.
Implemented measures to reduce those risks.
Maintains records and updates assessments regularly.
Documented risk assessments can help ensure your charity remains covered in the event of an accident or claim.
Risk Assessments
A risk assessment is simply a careful look at what could cause harm and deciding whether enough precautions are in place. It helps prevent accidents, ensures compliance with the law, and protects your insurance coverage.
Steps to conduct a risk assessment:
Identify hazards: Walk through your premises or activities and note anything that could cause harm - slips, trips, manual handling, fire risks, online safety issues, or vulnerable service users.
Decide who might be harmed: Consider staff, volunteers, clients, and the public.
Evaluate the risks: Determine how likely each hazard is to cause harm and how serious it could be.
Record your findings: Keep a simple written record, noting hazards, risks, and actions taken.
Implement control measures: Remove hazards where possible, or reduce risks with procedures, equipment, or training.
Review regularly: Update assessments if activities change, new hazards appear, or after any incidents.
Template Risk Assessment
Practical Tips
Keep it simple: Risk assessments don’t need to be long or complicated, clarity is key.
Involve your team: Staff and volunteers often spot hazards you might miss.
Train your team: Everyone should understand how to follow safety procedures.
Emergency plans: Make sure fire exits, first aid, and emergency contacts are clearly accessible.
Event safety: If running events, consider crowd management, temporary structures, and accessibility.
Equipment checks: Regularly inspect electrical equipment, vehicles, and any specialist gear.
Document incidents: Keep a log of accidents or near-misses to learn and improve.
Use resources: Free training and guidance are available from government or local agencies—these can help small charities implement safety without extra cost.