Risk Management Articles | Methodist Insurance

Risk Management for Methodist Churches

Effective risk management supports the safe and efficient running of your church.

Here you will find a range of guides, templates, tips and tools to help your church protect what matters. Our risk team also advise on maintenance and inspections to help you keep everything running smoothly.

List of all articles

Electrical wiring – inspections and safety

The use of electricity has the potential to cause considerable damage or injury, so regular inspections of your church’s electrical wiring and devices is essential.

Fire safety for Methodist churches

The causes of fires are numerous and varied but there are some very simple, practical things you can do to minimise the risk of a fire breaking out in your church.

Preparing your church for Christmas

Special events and services run over the festive season are likely to attract additional visitors to your church, so it's important you prepare.

Closed churches

Taking a proactive approach to managing unoccupied churches can help preserve these buildings for future use.

Electric bikes

Risks associated with electric bikes and how to manage them.

Providing warm spaces

In response to the fuel crisis, many churches from all faiths are opening their buildings to provide a warm space to people experiencing fuel poverty.

Working alone

Working alone puts people in a more vulnerable situation than usual. Though we hope your personal safety will never be an issue, it is sensible to take precautions.

Managing health and safety in your church

Keeping all those involved with your church and its activities safe is very important. Nobody wants to see anyone suffer an injury.

Managing volunteers

How to protect the safety of volunteers including health and safety legislation, typical hazards and how to manage the risks.

Risk management at church events

If you’re planning to hold an event at your Methodist church, it will need to be organised with safety in mind

Cold weather risks and precautions

Cold weather often causes the same common issues for churches. Here's an overview of the types of risk and how to address them.

Flood advice

Flooding can cause severe disruption, and for Methodist churches, a flood may impair your ability to provide services and support to the community.

How to manage slips and trips

Slips and trips are a common causes of accidents in Methodist churches. Many may only cause minor injuries, but others can be severe and in some cases even disabling.

An introduction to health and safety

For most churches, managing health and safety should not be complicated, costly or time consuming. Here are some tips and tools to help you get started.

What is a health and safety policy?

Such a policy sets out how health and safety will be managed.

Asbestos

Managing the risk from asbestos.

Storm safety advice

What to do before, during and after a storm

Cyber security

What are cyber risks and what can your church do to protect themselves?

Keeping Methodist churches open

Methodist churches often create a more welcoming environment by keeping their doors open and having a constant presence can even improve security.

Solar panels – photovoltaic (PV) systems

While there are many benefits to having solar panels, there are some risks to consider from both an installation and user point of view.

Church heating system

A well-maintained heating system is very important to the efficient running of a church however, a poorly-maintained system can present risks to safety.

Health and Safety – self-assessment for churches

How safe is your Methodist church? Risks at your church can cause damage or injury but self-assessment can help you identify and mitigate those risks.

Methodist church risk assessments

Guidance, templates and advice for small and large Methodist churches.

Church building works

When planning extensions or alterations to your church this is described as building works. While these works are in progress, it’s important you have adequate insurance in place.

Protecting churches from metal theft

Methodist Churches continue to suffer metal thefts but these security measures can help to protect churches and combat crime.

Protecting against arson

Arson is the most common cause of Methodist church fires. In many cases, a fire is started by a determined arsonist or a criminal aiming to conceal a crime or a prank that has gone wrong.

Advice to trustees

The roles and responsibilities of a trustee and the benefit of having trustee liability insurance.

Methodist church security

Though your church is unlikely to experience a serious attack, knowing how to react can minimise the impact and keep people safe. These special buildings are places of worship, meaning a balanced and proportionate approach to planning is necessary.

Safeguarding

Making sure that children and vulnerable adults are adequately protected is important for all churches. To support this, robust safeguarding arrangements are key.

Lightning protection

Tall buildings can attract lightning and some Methodist churches have elected to install lightning protection.

Night shelters

Night shelters are an important way for some Methodist churches to provide support to homeless people in their community, especially in winter.

Working at height – protecting against falls

Working at height can be dangerous and falls can often cause severe injuries. Our guidance helps to avoid falls and subsequent injuries.

Escape of water

Water damage at your church has the capacity to interrupt your usual day-to-day activities and mission goals.