I write with reference to the meeting between abc concerning your intention to stage a def at ghi..

Transcription

1 CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS RISK ASSESSMENT & CONTROL MEASURES FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS Author: John Brookes (Safety Officer) Issue Date: 1 ST May 2001 Revised Date: Page 1 of 6 I write with reference to the meeting between abc concerning your intention to stage a def at ghi.. Whilst the Council in principle has no objections to persons using its land to stage events, we obviously have a duty as owners to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the land is suitable and safe and that persons wishing to stage the event take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of persons employed there, as well as that of visitors and any other persons who could be affected by the undertaking. I enclose an event pack containing guidance on the health and safety issues that would likely need to be addressed prior to staging an event. I would suggest that you should be looking at those issues that would be applicable to that of a jkl show and be identifying the likely hazards, assessing the risks that these hazards could present, and the control measures that would need to be applied. In order to assist, I set out below the generalised safeguards that you should consider which would apply to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the size of the event you intend to have. Additionally, I include safeguards that should be considered that specifically relate to a mno event.. It should however be noted that the considerations as detailed below are not exhaustive and that the principle responsibility to prepare a comprehensive safe system of work rests with yourself. Duties of landlords: The Council owns the land at pqr. As the owners of this land we are therefore responsible for its maintenance to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, that persons do not have an accident due to any lack of maintenance. If it were the intention to use this land to stage an event then we would need to know as far in advance as possible to be sure that the land is suitable. Duties of Organisers: The following refer to your duties in planning, organising and running an event and, as stated above, will apply to a greater or lesser extent depending on the size, duration, nature etc. of such an event. Managing the Event In order to protect the health, safety and welfare of people attending, employees and contractors who may be working before, during and after the event, other traders, performers etc. then health and safety needs to be managed. Health & Safety Policy: 1

2 A policy should be prepared to demonstrate to others that the organiser accepts that health and safety is a concern and that there is a commitment towards reducing the chances of an accident occurring. The policy should contain a statement of intent, the organisational structure describing the roles and responsibilities of persons given safety duties and the practical arrangements in place for maintaining a safe place of work, safe systems of work, safe access etc. Planning: Effective planning relates to identifying and eliminating/controlling hazards and risks. The various phases of the event should be considered: 2 The build-up i.e. venue design, selection of competent workers, delivery and installation of equipment and services, construction of any stages, fencing etc. The show i.e. effective crowd control, car parking, welfare, fire safety, first aid etc. The breakdown i.e. removal of equipment, dismantling of structures, collection of rubbish. More specific details relating to risks that need to be controlled are outlined below. Organisation: You should ensure that all employees/self employed/contractors working on site have the necessary training and experience to carry out the work safely. Persons involved in organising the event should be given specific health and safety responsibilities with clear reporting mechanisms. There should be a specific person with overall responsibility with persons being accountable to that person. All persons involved in staging the event should co-operate with one another as regards procedures and safety rules. All persons on site should understand the importance and significance of health and safety objectives. It is important to keep contractors and others informed of safety matters and procedures to be followed on site. Monitoring: This should include inspections on site. Liaison with the Local Authority and Emergency Services: As the Local Authority and owners of the land we would require pre meetings to discuss the progress in the preparation of your safe systems of work, protection of the public, training of personnel, your appointment of sub contractors and other persons that would be involved in the staging of such an event etc. You should also ensure tat the emergency services are briefed as to certain of your intended control measures e.g. traffic implications, and that their presence at such meetings may be required. Site Design: Factors to consider include: Traffic and pedestrian routes. Access and egress. Proximity of noise-sensitive buildings. Is it possible to satisfy the requirements of the audience and the neighbours?

3 Fire Safety: Location and availability of services water, sewage, gas, electricity (including overhead cables). Are there any restrictions or hazards? Likely occupant capacity, audience profile, duration, timing of the event, whether alcohol is on sale, movement of audience between entertainment and/or facilities. This information can then be used to determine the provisions and facilities needed, e.g. stages, tents, barriers, toilets, first aid, exits/entrances, fencing etc. In the event of fire, persons should be able to make their way to a place of safety without the assistance of others. Fire extinguishers should be provided. For electrical fires these should be of the dry powder or carbon dioxide type. There should be a fire warning system to instruct all persons to vacate the area. Emergency Planning: In the event of a major incident e.g., casualties, then known procedures need to be in place in the form of a major incident plan: identification of incident controller (prior to arrival of emergency services) the stopping of the event routes of access for emergency services alerting procedures public warning mechanisms evacuation procedures Communication Systems: Considerations should be radio/telephone links between stewards, PA system, loud hailers, face to face contact between personnel and the public. Crowd Management: design of venue to allow good entry/exit consider venue capacity ensure persons have good view of events consideration of provision of stewards both for pedestrians and car parking Transport Management: Traffic management proposals to be planned to ensure safe and convenient site access and to minimise off-site traffic disruption. Consideration as to the following: Structures: temporary traffic signs parking restrictions traffic marshalling vehicle parking/access pedestrian access segregated from vehicular access 3

4 If it is the intention to have temporary structures e.g., stage, stands, marquees, then you will need to consider: location of these structures e.g., flat surfaces, overhead cables, proximity of surrounding buildings choose a competent supplier ensure correct design to provide protection against falls ensure any structures are correctly erected/dismantled Barriers: If barriers are required to prevent access to certain areas, then they should be designed to withstand certain loadings and should not be able to be pushed over. Electrical Installations: Factors to consider when planning electrical installations include: location of any overhead power lines or buried cables total power requirements for the site access to the network power supply use of generators earthing positioning of temporary overhead/ground level cables e.g., trip hazards location of any stages isolations controlling electrical supplies to lighting, sound, special effects etc, provision of RCDs maintenance of portable electrical appliances Facilities for the Disabled: Where possible, ensure that persons with special needs are catered for, e.g., wheelchair access. Food, Drink, Water: Any delivery, storage, preparation and sale of food should comply with the relevant food safety legislation e.g., mobile catering units, stalls and marquees, ice-cream vendors etc. Food businesses to carry out work in a safe and hygienic way. Check any documentary evidence from each caterer regarding: 4 identification/control of potential food hazards identification /control of health and safety hazards provision of fire extinguishers training of food handlers suitability of premises for production/sale of food suitability of equipment transporting of food storage and disposal of food waste personal hygiene of handlers storage, handling and preparation of food provision of drinking water insurance of food businesses including public, product and employers liabilities electrical and gas installation compliance certificates first aid provision

5 Vendors should be positioned with due regard to not becoming an obstruction, prevention of persons giving access to the rear of units, space for eating, access/egress of emergency vehicles, spacing between units, removal of refuse. With respect to LPG, ensure that: all operators using LPG understand its safe use and emergency procedures safe storage when in use or stored, then secure from interference by the public Due regard is also required with respect to fire extinguishers and electrical installations (see above). Amusements: If amusement activities are to be held at an event, then points to consider include the following: obtain advice about particular hazards relating to the amusement/attraction from the operator and obtain copies of their risk assessments and safety information check competence of the operator e.g., member of a particular association, insurances, certificates of examination for equipment etc ensure suitable space for attractions/amusements Specific consideration should be given to the use of inflatable bouncy castles. Sanitary Facilities: There should be adequate sanitary provisions made for the number of people expected to attend the event with consideration given to location, access, construction, lighting and signage, e.g. provision of mobi-loos. Waste Management: Waste generated needs to be managed carefully to minimise risks associated with accumulation, collection and disposal. Medical, Ambulance, First-Aid: The extent of these facilities will depend upon: the size of the audience duration of the event type of event etc with a minimum of 2 first aiders on site. Clearance of Site Following the event, the site should be left in a clean and tidy condition. All equipment should be removed, any structures dismantled and removed, and all rubbish collected and removed from site. In particular, any rubbish that could cause an injury to a member of the public such as broken glass should not be left on site. 5

6 Health and Safety Assistance I would recommend that should you wish to plan such an event then you engage the services of a health and safety consultant to assist you. You should also ensure that such a person has sufficient competency to fulfil the role Insurance Whatever the type of the event that you intend to promote, you will need to ensure that the requisite public and employer liability insurance is in place. The above represents key considerations in the organisation of an event, which may need to be addressed. It should be stressed that as mentioned above, this is not an exhaustive list The hazards and degree of risk are likely to differ from one event to another and therefore risk assessments should be completed specifically for the event that you wish to stage. These risk assessments should effectively identify the hazards, the persons who could be affected by these hazards, provide an assessment of the risks to these persons and the control measures that need to be applied in order to eliminate or minimise the risks. The assessments should be monitored for their effectiveness and reviewed as necessary. On a final note, I would suggest that at present the Council would be unable to agree to using our land until such time as you are able to supply us with, initially a framework for safety that addresses the points above, together with other hazards that you have identified. In due course you will need to supply us with the specific detailed procedures that you are to put in place to deal with such hazards. This letter should be read in conjunction with the enclosed Conditions Relating to Entertainments Taking Place Wholly or Mainly in the Open Air which provides more information on the above. I await your safety proposals. Yours sincerely 6