| Health and Safety legislation will apply to many events. The risk associated with an event should be assessed beforehand and the appropriate control measures put in place. This will involve an experienced person completing the appropriate risk assessment and forwarding this to the Public Events Planning Group together with the completed checklist.
Should you require any help in this regard, our Health and Safety Department have produced some guidance notes which may be of use to you.(See Risk Assessment page.)
Organisers will always retain a duty of care to people working or visiting an event and safety must always be of paramount importance in the planning and management of any event.
Any accident resulting from an act or omission (including a lack of training) could result in litigation against the organisers or action taken under legislation.
Fire safety must receive serious consideration. You must agree arrangements for fire prevention, detection and control before your event, and adequate on- site fire fighting equipment should be provided in accessible positions near to high risk areas. Free advice is available from the Fire and Rescue Service (Tel: 01472 372500).
The use of generators should be strictly controlled - ensure adequate screening and protection, adequate arrangements for storage of fuel etc.
The Department of Communities and Local Government has produced guides to help people to comply with the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which came into effect on 1st October 2006. Guide 9 will cover outdoor events such as firework displays and music concerts. There are other guides which may be relevant i.e. Guide 6 - small and medium places of assembly and Guide 7 - large places of assembly.
Any temporary structure which is load bearing must comply with health and safety laws and building control regulations. Full details of the type of stage, including the company supplying same, and the type of material the stage is constructed from, should be provided to the Group when completing the checklist.
The organisers of the event should ensure that contractors employed to set up/take down stands, exhibits, marquees, etc submit appropriate health and safety policies, risk assessments and method statements. Exhibitors and vendors etc, should submit similar details.
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