General Instructions updated 11 Sept 2024
We have prepared a health and safety policy which you will find on the website.
In line with this policy, you are responsible for the health and safety of all users of the hall during your booking, for the safe preparation of any food, for looking after the hall and contents, and for the safe use of our equipment. You may be liable for any damage.
Before your booking you must read this document and the Emergency Procedures. You should also check the Operating Instructions before you use any of the equipment in the hall.
All of these documents are on the website and in a green file in the kitchen.
Keep to your time slot – you cannot get into the hall before the time your booking starts and you must be out before the time your booking ends
Emergency Procedures
THESE COVER FIRE, GAS LEAKS, AND CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
There are copies of the emergency instructions in the hall, the green file in the kitchen and on the website.
There is also a plan of the hall showing the location of fire exits, fire doors, fire extinguishers and the main gas tap.
You should read these before your event and be sure you know where the fire exits, fire extinguishers, smoke and CO alarms and the main gas tap are.
You should tell your guests what to do if there is an emergency and point out the location of the fire exits and the meeting point on the pavement outside the Village School opposite the Three Tuns before any event begins.
Emergency exit signs in the main hall must be switched on at all times (switch on wall to left of door into hall).
You must ensure that the fire exits are not blocked or obstructed at any time both inside and outside the hall in the car park.
There is a first aid box in the kitchen.
The nearest A&E is at Bedford Hospital MK42 9DJ
Fire Safety
No smoking, candles, other naked flames or flammable substances or materials (particularly decorations) are allowed in the hall.
Decorations must not be placed near to or tied to lights or the gas heaters.
Extra heaters must not be used.
Do not cook with fat
Electrical Equipment
Any electrical equipment bought into the hall must be in good condition and used in a safe manner.
Do not attempt to use or repair damaged or faulty Village Hall equipment
Do not use any equipment that has previously caused an RCD to trip
Flexible cables should be positioned and protected so that they do not constitute a tripping hazard and are not subject to mechanical damage.
Never leave any electrical equipment, including the hobs and oven, unattended when switched on
Noise
A sound limiter has been installed to ensure that noise levels are not excessive.
If possible, please keep windows and the entrance doors closed when music is being played.
Extra ventilation can be obtained by opening the windows in the roof upstairs in the annex (opened by using the ropes).
Fire exits must be kept closed at all times.
Please keep noise levels down outside the hall e.g. in the car park at all times but particularly during and at the end of functions.
Car Park
Do not take alcoholic drinks into the car park.
Any vehicles left overnight must be removed by 10am the following morning.
If the car park is full, guests should park so as not to inconvenience local residents.
Additional Hazards for Children
Keep children out of the kitchen and store room at all times
If you are not using the mezzanine floor, keep the stair gate closed.
Children should only be allowed upstairs if supervised by an adult.
General
There are brushes and mops in the cupboard next to the front door in the entrance hall…please use them.
Mop up spills on the floor as soon as possible.
Always use the chair trolleys to move stacks of chairs—do not drag them around.
Do not attempt to move the BURCO water heater if it is full, particularly of hot water. It is very heavy.
Report any equipment failure or damage to the Maintenance Officer (07771971303) as soon as possible.
Record any minor accidents in the accident book, and all accidents to the Maintenance Officer.
Before You Leave Please…..
Stack all chairs neatly in the annex.
Stack no more than 4 at a time (to avoid heavy and unsafe stacks) with the backs outwards so that they can be easily moved with the chair trolleys by the next user.
Fold up any tables used and stack them in the table trolleys.
Leave the hall in a clean and tidy condition. Remember to sweep the floor.
Ensure that the work surfaces, oven, hobs, heater cabinet and fridges are left clean.
When You Leave Please Leave the Hall as You Found it, and……
Turn off the extractor fans, and hobs and oven at the mains switches on the wall behind them
Turn off the fridges behind the bar and leave the doors open
Ensure all windows are closed including those upstairs in the annex.
Check that all taps are turned off
Turn off all lights both inside and outside. (Note that the middle square floodlight will switch off automatically)
Lock the door and return the key to the key safe/booking officer.
Take away all glass bottles and any rubbish that won’t fit in the bins.
Note that the heaters will turn off automatically at the end of your hire.