Page 1 of 3

1. Purpose
This document covers areas of health and safety within Wendover u3a. It should
not be confused with safeguarding. Where safeguarding is about protecting a
person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, health and safety is
about minimising or removing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Scope
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 only applies to paid workers, although
volunteers must still be protected from risks. Wendover u3a should ensure that
reasonable care has been taken to avoid harming others and that participants
are aware of the risks.
Wendover u3a aims to provide and maintain safe and healthy conditions and
environments for all members including during the meeting of u3a groups,
monthly meetings and at events.
3. Insurance
Wendover u3a is covered by the insurance provided by The Third Age Trust.
Further details about the insurance cover can be accessed on the advice page of
the u3a website. The Third Age Trust provides third party liability insurance,
however extreme sports and high hazard activities may not covered. If any
activities are being considered that Wendover u3a is unsure if they are covered,
they will contact the u3a Office for further advice.
Health & Safety Policy August 2023
Page 2 of 3
4. Risk Assessments
Wendover u3a will ensure the Committee, Group Convenors or those responsible
for a meeting or event complete a risk assessment. These will be used to identify
any risks and explore how they could be mitigated. One risk assessment may
cover multiple meetings of a group as long as no additional hazards have been
identified since completing the last checklist.
Wendover u3a is aware that some venues used for meetings/events may already
have their own risk assessment, these should be reviewed and where mitigations
identified, ensure they are actioned. For example, a venue may state that no
more than 5 chairs should be stacked together and or nothing placed in the way
of fire escapes. Where relevant, clear instructions and guidance should be
provided to anyone who requires it. Further information, guidance and templates
about risk assessments can be downloaded from the advice page of the u3a
website.
5. Responding to accidents/incidents and dealing with
emergencies
Wendover u3a will encourage all members to complete and carry the ‘In Case of
Emergency’ (ICE) card they have been issued with to all meetings and activities.
The ICE includes information on who to contact in the case of an emergency and
details of any health conditions or medications recorded by the member.
In the event of an incident/accident the committee of Wendover u3a should be
informed as soon as appropriate. Where a u3a member is involved in an accident
or incident whilst taking part in a u3a event, Wendover u3a will ensure those who
witnessed the event and were involved complete an Accident Report Form and
sent it to the Wendover u3a Secretary. This must be completed and shared with
those who need to have access to it, including the Committee Chair and kept on
file for three years. It will also need to be shared with the insurers in the event of
an insurance claim.
6. Lone volunteering
There may be occasions where u3a members may be carrying out activities for
Wendover u3a on their own. For example, opening a venue for a meeting, setting
up for a meeting, etc. Where this occurs the u3a member should ensure
someone else knows where they are and when they should be expected back.
Health & Safety Policy August 2023
Page 3 of 3
The u3a member should also know who to contact in the event of an incident or
accident and ensure they have, for example, their mobile phone with them and
avoid activities at height, e.g. using a ladder.
7. Manual handling
All u3a members should think about manual handling in advance to avoid injury
to themselves and others. Members should not carry out any manual handling
tasks if they are not able to manage them and should ask for help from other u3a
members.
8. Venues
Where Wendover u3a uses external venues which have their own policies and
procedures and risk assessments Wendover u3a will ensure these are followed.
This will include making sure all u3a members in attendance are aware of what to
do in the event of a fire alarm/evacuation. If Wendoveru3a is hosting an open day
this will also include ensuring those who are not u3a members are also informed.
Where appropriate a check list may be developed outlining what needs to be
done before/after a meeting in terms of setting up a venue.
9. Related documentation
The following documents are available on the u3a website www.u3a.org.uk/advice
to support this policy:
 Risk assessment templates – including templates for a range of different
venues and activities including groups meetings at members’ houses.
 Risk Management guidance
 Safeguarding Policy and Procedure Sample
 Insurance Cover Note
 Insurance FAQs
 Insurance Overview

Version	Purpose / Change
August 2023	Initial version based on ‘Template Health and Safety Policy for u3as’ dated 16/06/2023 with line added in Paragraph 4 to say one risk assessment may cover multiple meetings of a group and a paragraph about ICE cards included at the beginning of Paragraph 5.