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Lewes and District Visual Arts Association

 

Health & Safety Policy

 

Introduction

 

Lewes and District Visual Arts Association (LADVAA) is a charity committed to the practice of art for adults in the Lewes area. The objectives of the Association are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of the visual arts including practical participation in artistic activities.

 

In furtherance of these objectives the Association may (not all listed):

  1. Arrange and provide for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses: sometimes in collaboration with other groups.

  2. Undertake, execute and manage activities with other charitable trusts, or assist them, given that any engagement is lawful.

  3. Purchase, lease, take in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the Association’s objectives.

  4. Construct, maintain or alter any buildings or erections necessary for the Association’s work and make regulations for any property which may be so required.

 

A Committee of Trustees manages the Association which comprises of premises that include the main building and gardens. There are five art studios (with approx. seven tenants), around fifteen regular art tutors, an average of 150 members and one residential tenant. The Association hires studio space to artists as tenants, to art tutors for art classes and to artists to hold public exhibitions. It also rents a studio flat to a residential tenant. The public is invited into the building and garden for lectures, exhibitions and sales.

 

The Health & Safety Policy aims to:

  1. Prevent accidents and cases of studio related ill health.

  2. Manage Health & Safety risks within the studio environment.

  3. Provide clear instructions, information and training to ensure that everyone involved is competent to manage Health & Safety risks.

  4. Provide and maintain safe equipment.

  5. Implement emergency procedures, including evacuation for fire incidents or other significant events.

 

The policy will be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary.

 

 

Responsibilities

 

The overall responsibility for Health & Safety lies with the LADVAA Trustees.

 

The day-to-day responsibility for Health & Safety lies with those using the building and the garden at any one time.

 

All tenants, tutors and members are expected to contribute by taking responsibility for their own health & safety when on LADVAA premises.

 

Tutors:

  • are responsible for the Health & Safety of all those in their classes

  • should understand the risks of the materials and equipment they use (whether owned by the Association or themselves) and ensure suitable procedures are in place to manage any associated Health & Safety risks

  • will inform class members of the fire exits and the fire evacuation procedure.

 

Tenants:

  • are responsible for their own and any students’ use of materials and equipment

  • will inform themselves and any students of the fire exits and fire evacuation procedure.

 

The Trustees

 

In relation to the risk of fire the Trustees will:

  • ensure all escape routes are well marked and kept free of obstruction

  • maintain fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and fire blankets

  • provide a Fire Escape / Evacuation Plan

  • hold regular fire drills (at six monthly intervals).

 

In relation to the equipment provided the Trustees will:

  • ensure that all electrical equipment is PAT tested in accordance with regulations

  • maintain all other equipment and furniture to a safe standard.

 

To alleviate any emergency the Trustees will:

  • provide an Emergency Action Plan for all tenants and tutors

  • provide a list of emergency contacts: prominently displayed in the kitchen area

  • maintain a First Aid Kit: kept in the kitchen area.

 

To support Risk Assessment the Trustees will:

  • prepare a list of Risk Assessments for specific activities in different parts of the building

  • regularly review this list which currently includes:

    • fire risk assessment/evacuation plan

    • what to do in an emergency

    • asbestos within the building

    • use of the kilns.

 

 

Date: 10 October 2024

 

Date of review: (one year later)

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