Lighting the church candles safely

CSS Worksafe is always on the look-out for Health and safety regulation issues or regulation changes, sometimes health and safety can feel like a minefield of what not to do. The HSE are here to help everyone stay safe whether that be large groups of people or individuals. But sometimes the rules and regulations can be interpreted differently. 

 

A recent article in the Macclesfield Express told the story of St Michael's Church who are fundraising to raise £7,000 for an electronic winch and pulley system after a health and safety risk assessment restricted them from lighting their candle chandeliers from a portable step ladder.

 

The article mentions ‘new’ health and safety rules, of which there are no ‘new’ health and safety rules! The last regulations that control work at height came into force in 2005 and have been working to protect those working at height to the present day. 

The article in the newspaper stated the “new health and safety rules mean that David, <the former candle lighter> is only permitted to climb 9ft – which means he can no longer reach them <the candles>.”

 

This 9ft ladder cut off that has been stated as the reason for David to not be allowed to light the candles in the church anymore is actually not the case, and if you read HSE’s frequently asked Questions sections on their website it states: 

“There is no maximum height for using a ladder.  However, where a ladder rises 9 metres or more above its base, landing areas or rest platforms should be provided at suitable intervals.”

 

On top of this the HSE set out a risk based approach to each case so such things as: The user should be able to maintain a handhold on the stepladder when lighting the candles.  The work should be of short duration (up to 30 minutes in a single position); and the ground that the stepladder is resting on should be level.  Although we haven’t seen the church ourselves we would assume that lighting a single chandelier would take less than 30 minutes and therefore rests could be taken between chandeliers, so not to exceed the time limit; and that a single hand and two feet would be kept on the step ladder whilst lighting took place and that the floor in this photo appears to be parquet, and very level. Therefore the individual risk assessment should determine that the use of a stepladder is justified in this instance, due to the short duration and low risk of the activity.  

 

Hopefully, the candles suspended high up at St Michael’s Church, will be a-light again soon, whether it be through the new electric pulley and winch system they are raising money for or review of the original risk assessment.

 

If you want independent advice after a Health and Safety Inspection that you aren’t happy with you can contact the HSE myth busting challenge panel or try contacting CSS Worksafe for Safety at Height advice, inspections, surveys, training and equipment by contacting us on 0800 783 0757 or info@cssworksafe.com or by visiting http://css-worksafe.co.uk/