Martyn’s Law checklist for places of worship

What to think about

• Major festivals and services set your expected peak, including volunteers.
• The standard-tier special case applies to worship use — record that basis.
• Community and hire use of the building may need separate thought.
• Volunteer stewards need simple role cards, not complex manuals.
• Keep communication plans workable across languages used by your congregation.

Procedure focus

What evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication tend to hinge on in places of worship.

• Routes from every entrance, each assigned to a named steward
• Dignity built in: shoe-removal areas, head coverings, people mid-prayer
• A reunion plan for crèche and children's groups
• Announcements in the congregation's main languages, with printed steward cards

Common evidence gaps

The process gaps venues in this sector most often need to close — each one fixable, and worth a dated record once it is.

• GapCapacity based on an average service, not the festival or holy-day peak
• GapA volunteer keyholder named as responsible person instead of the trustees
• GapCrèche and children's groups missing from the sweep and reunion plan
• GapProcedures written in English only for a multilingual congregation
• GapSecond and third entrances with nobody assigned