Rank: Forum user 
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I work for a major UK charity, we have a number of properties throughout the UK which are used occasionally by our members for storage and to hold branch meetings, etc. The members are all volunteers and not employed by the charity. Should we be treating these properties as workplaces when they are being used for branch meetings, etc by our volunteers, and therefore, subject to the Workplace (HS&W) Regs, amongst others? I am of the opinion that we should be treating them as workplaces, but I would appreciate confirmation from fellow professionals. Thank you very much in anticipation of your assistance.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would think they should be treated as a workplace as they are not private homes. Not a strong point of mine though
Rob
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Rank: Super forum user
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Key question is if you own the properties referred to or lease them.
If you own them then you are in control of a workplace and the appropriate legislation will apply, for anyone entering the premises.
If you lease them you will need to refer to the terms of the lease for any delegated responsibility.
Jonty
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I am head of H&S for a major UK charity, and I clearly recognise that situation. We have about 400 Charity shops, and treat them all as workplaces. We also have distribution centres, and lock-ups which are used to store excess stock and so on. If these places are used a mere bag-drops we protect them from the weather and install basic fire detection (after all, they are still our responsibility if they start to burn down), but we don't bother with welfare provision. If they are used for work activity at all, be it for meetings, preparation of goods or whatever we do insist on meeting basic welfare standards; as far as we are concerned they become a workplace of work is carried out in them,
John
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Regardless of whether the Workplace Regs etc apply, the standards set by them and the associated ACOP are pretty basic and in my opinion should generally be achieved by anyone in charge of such premises, occasional use or not. Access/egress, water, lighting, structural integrity, cleanliness etc should be a given. So too should simple safety arrangements, derived from a basic risk assessment process (no need for War & Peace), along with consideration of fire risks.
Surely your management will see that your volunteers are worthy of these measures, regardless of what laws may apply.
Citizengas, your opinion on treating them as workplaces is a sound basis on which to build H&S measures.
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Rank: Super forum user
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That sounds good to me David B
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Rank: Super forum user 
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As you work for a 'Major' UK charity I would assume that at least one person within the organisation is paid a salary. In this case the organisation is an employer and the properties under your control are workplaces.
Also, your volunteers, paid or unpaid, in cash or kind would be classed as employees if so much as one member of the organisation receives payment for their services.
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