Health and Safety Policy

The Still Room, operated by Sawtooth Studios Ltd

Version: March 2026 v2

Effective date: March 2026

Next review date: March 2027

Address

Venue: The Still Room, Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich, NR4 6TJ

Contact

General enquiries: info@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk

Telephone: 01603 517 717

Post: Sawtooth Studios Ltd, Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich, NR4 6TJ

Introduction

The Still Room is operated by Sawtooth Studios Ltd and provides a rehearsal, meeting and event space for creative, professional and business use.

Sawtooth Studios Ltd is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone using The Still Room, including hirers, participants, visitors, freelancers and contractors.

This policy outlines the approach taken by Sawtooth Studios Ltd to support the safe use of the space and to reduce reasonably foreseeable risks associated with activities taking place within the venue.

Health and safety is a shared responsibility. All individuals using the space are expected to act responsibly and to contribute to a safe and respectful environment.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

  • directors and officers of Sawtooth Studios Ltd
  • freelancers or contractors engaged by Sawtooth Studios Ltd
  • hirers using The Still Room
  • participants attending activities delivered in the space
  • visitors to the premises

Activities delivered directly by Sawtooth Studios Ltd and activities delivered by external hirers are both expected to operate in accordance with appropriate health and safety practices.

Responsibilities of Sawtooth Studios Ltd

Sawtooth Studios Ltd will take reasonable steps to:

  • maintain the premises in a safe condition
  • maintain fixtures, fittings and equipment in safe working condition
  • identify and manage reasonably foreseeable risks within the premises
  • maintain clear circulation routes and emergency exits
  • cooperate with building management where relevant to building safety
  • review health and safety arrangements periodically

Responsibilities of Hirers

Hirers are responsible for the safe conduct of their activity and for the behaviour of those attending their session or event.

Hirers must:

  • ensure their activity is conducted safely and appropriately
  • supervise participants attending their activity where necessary
  • ensure participants are able to safely take part in the activity
  • ensure equipment brought into the space is safe and suitable for use
  • maintain clear circulation routes and avoid creating hazards
  • follow reasonable safety instructions provided by Sawtooth Studios Ltd
  • hold appropriate public liability insurance for their activity

Where activities involve additional or elevated risks, hirers may be asked to provide a written risk assessment before the booking is confirmed.

Use of the Space

The Still Room is a working studio environment containing rugs, furniture, soft furnishings, electrical equipment and cables typical of a rehearsal and meeting space.

Hirers must ensure that floors and circulation areas remain clear of hazards and that equipment, cables or furnishings moved during the activity do not create risks.

Any spillages should be cleaned promptly to reduce the risk of slips, trips or falls.

Furniture and equipment provided in the space are used at the hirer’s own risk. Hirers are responsible for ensuring that any furniture or equipment used during their activity is appropriate for their purposes and used safely. Care should be taken when moving furniture or equipment.

Stairs and Building Features

Keswick Hall is a historic Grade II listed building.

The building includes stairways and bannisters overlooking the entrance hall. Hirers are responsible for ensuring that participants behave safely in these areas and do not lean, climb, sit on or place equipment over bannisters or railings.

Participants must not enter areas of the building that are not included within the hire.

Food and Hot Drinks

Hot drinks and simple food may be prepared or consumed within the space.

Hirers must ensure that hot items are handled safely and are not placed where they may spill or cause injury.

Kitchen areas must be kept clean and used responsibly.

Fire Safety

A fire risk assessment for the premises is maintained and reviewed periodically. Responsibility for building-wide fire safety arrangements at Keswick Hall sits with the building management. Sawtooth Studios Ltd cooperates with those arrangements in respect of The Still Room.

Hirers must familiarise themselves with fire exits and evacuation procedures on arrival and ensure that participants are aware of them where appropriate.

Emergency exits, corridors and access routes must remain clear at all times.

Emergency Situations

In the event of a serious emergency, individuals should contact emergency services by calling 999.

Mobile phone signal within the building may be limited. Hirers should ensure that they have a means of contacting emergency services if required, including access to Wi-Fi calling or other communication methods.

A defibrillator is available within Keswick Hall near the main entrance to the building.

First Aid and Medical Assistance

The Still Room does not provide dedicated on-site first aid personnel or medical services.

In the event of illness or injury, the organiser of the activity is responsible for providing appropriate assistance within the limits of their competence and for contacting emergency services where required.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is located within Keswick Hall near the main entrance to the building. This device is available for emergency use by any person present in the building.

All accidents or incidents occurring during activities at The Still Room should be recorded and reported in accordance with the incident reporting procedure set out in this policy.

Accidents and Incident Reporting

Any accident, injury, near miss or safety incident occurring during the hire period should be reported to Sawtooth Studios Ltd as soon as reasonably practicable using the contact details in this policy.

Where appropriate, incidents may be recorded using the Incident Reporting Form provided in Appendix A.

Where an incident arises during activity delivered directly by Sawtooth Studios Ltd and meets the reporting thresholds under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), Sawtooth Studios Ltd will ensure that appropriate reports are submitted to the relevant authorities.

Where an incident arises during activity delivered by an external hirer, RIDDOR reporting obligations in respect of that activity rest with the hirer. Hirers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with their own legal reporting obligations.

Accessibility

Sawtooth Studios Ltd aims to ensure that The Still Room is a welcoming and inclusive environment. The building includes lift access to the first floor, accessible toilet facilities and gender-neutral facilities.

Users of the space are expected to act in a respectful and responsible manner that supports the safety and wellbeing of everyone present.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required following operational changes, safety incidents or changes in legislation.

Contact

For enquiries relating to health and safety at The Still Room, please contact:

Email: info@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk

Telephone: 01603 517 717

Post: Sawtooth Studios Ltd, Suite 9D, Keswick Hall, Keswick, Norwich, NR4 6TJ

Appendix A

Incident Report Form

Complete this form and submit to info@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk

Safeguarding concerns must be reported separately to safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk and must not be submitted using this form.

Person Completing This Form

Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Role (staff, freelancer, hirer, participant, visitor)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Email address

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone number

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Incident Details

Date and time of incident

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Location within building

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Type of Incident

Select all that apply:

□   Accident or injury

□   Medical emergency

□   Near miss

□   Property damage

□   Fire alarm or evacuation

□   Security incident

□   Behavioural incident

□   Other

For safeguarding concerns, report separately to safeguarding@thestillroom-norwich.co.uk

People Involved

Names and contact details if known

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Description of Incident

Provide a clear factual description of what happened.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Injuries Sustained

□   Yes

□   No

If yes, please describe

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Immediate Action Taken

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Emergency Services Involvement

□   Police

□   Ambulance

□   Fire service

□   None

Reference number if provided

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Damage to Property or Equipment

□   Yes

□   No

If yes, please describe

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Further Action Required

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Declaration

Signature

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Date

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Where incidents arise during activities delivered by external hirers, RIDDOR reporting obligations in respect of that activity rest with the hirer. Completing an incident report does not constitute an admission of liability. Incident reports are recorded to ensure appropriate follow-up, risk management and, where required, compliance with legal reporting obligations.