1 Guidancetoassist organisersof SmallEvents 2 CONTENTSPage 1. Introduction3 1.1Responsibilityfortheeventandplanning4 1.2PublicandEmployer’sliabilityinsurance5 2.HealthandSafety 2.1Thelaw6 2.2Howtodoariskassessment6 2.3Venue/site7 2.4Thecrowdmakeup8 2.5Saf etybarriers8 2.6Informationnoticesandsignage9 2.7Temporarystructures9 2.8Firesafety10 2.9Electricalinstallationsandlighting10 2.10Gassafety11 2.11Firstaidmanagement12 2.12Stewards,securityandCRBchecks12 2.13Communications13 2.14Welfarefacilities14 2.15Ca tering,merchandising,attractionsandspecialeffects15 2.16Camping15 3.NoiseControl17 4.Pre‐andDuringEventChecklist(BasicExample)18 5.BlankRiskAssessmentTemplate19 6.FoodSafetyAdvice20 7.WhattoexpectfromInspectors21 8.RecommendedReading 22 9.OthersourcesofInf ormationandGuidance 25 10.DorsetEnforcementAuthoritiesContactDetails26 11.Acknowledgements27 3 1INTRODUCTION Purpose Thisguidehasbeenproducedtoassistsmalleventorganisers.Eacheventisdifferentandwillrequire different levels of management, services and provisions, However, there are elements that are commontoalleventsandweadviseyoutousetheinformationcontainedinthisguideasabasisfor planningyouevent.there quirementsfortheirevent. If you are an employeror self‐employed person, compliance with health and safety, food safetyand fire precautions legislation are legal requirements andcanbe enforced bylocal authorities.In other casesvoluntarygroupswillfindmuchoftheinformationhelpful,andiftheprincipleslaidouthereare followed,sho uldensurethatyoucomplywithcommonlawduties(i.e.thosewhicharen’tenforceable butthroughwhichyoucanbesued).Safe,well‐runeventswillhavefewerinjuriesorunsafeincidents, withlesslikelihoodofresultantclaimsforcompensationorevenenfor cementaction. Appropriateprecautionaryandpreventive(orcontrol)measuresineachcasewilldependonahostof factorssuchas: thesize,locationandnatureoftheevent, whethertheeventisindoorsoroutdoors, theaudience/crowdprofileanddynamics, whethercontractorsundertakecertaintasks, thepresenceoftraders,useofspecialeffects, accessibilityforemergencyservicesetc. Dependingonthecircumstances,eventorganisers(oftencalled‘dutyholders’)willeitherhavealegal duty to comply with the law, or a common law duty to follow the same principles; in all cases they shoulddetermineandimplementsuitableandsufficientprecautionstokeepeveryonesafe. This publication identifies som e of the hazards likely to require consideration and gives guidance on how to address them (some or all may be relevant to your event).These are generally called risk assessments and help the duty holders decide which elements of hazard are relevant and how to assessth elevelandtypeofcontrolsneededforthatevent.Manyeventswillinvolveactivitieswhich comewithinthedefinitionof“licensableactivity”forthepurposesoftheLicensingAct2003.Subject tocertainexemptions“licensableactivity”,includes: Retailsaleofalcohol, Provision of entertainment (e.g. music and dancing, live music, play, film, indoor sporting event), Latenightrefr eshment(supplyofhotfoodordrinktothepublicforconsumptiononoroffthe premises(mobileunitsincluded)between11pmand5am), Acombinationoftheabove. However,many elements of this guide canbeused as a templa tefororganising public eventswhich donotinvolvea“licensableactivity”. It is not unusual for certain types of events involving a ‘licensable activity’ to require a Premises Licence for theperiod of the event under the Licensing Act 2003.However, forsmaller events(less than500pe ople)ofshortduration(lessthan96hours),organisersmaynotrequireaPremisesLicence butmayberequiredtogivetheLicensingAuthorityaTemporaryEventNotice.Formoreinformation onthisyouareadvisedtocontactthelocalauthoritylicensingsectionorwebsitewheretheeventis being held. Al ternatively, in the DorsetEnforcement Authorities Contact Details section you will find detailsofotherstaffwhomaybeabletoassistyouwithyourenquiry. 4 IfitisalicensableeventthePolice,FireService,EnvironmentalHealth(NoiseControl),Health&Safety Regulator, Trading Standards or Social Services (Child Protection) acting as ‘responsible authorities’ can place detailed conditions in relation to the four licensing objectives which then become requirementsofthePremisesLicence.Thefourlicensingobjectivesare: Thepreventio nofcrimeanddisorder Publicsafety Thepreventionofpublicnuisance Theprotectionofchildrenfromharm Whetheryouareproposingtorunafunday,fete,festival,fancydressstreetparty,smallgig,concert, carnival,localshoworbarndancethereshouldbesomeusef uladviceforyouincludedinthisguide. This guide ‐‐‐‐‐ aims to help those who organise events so that the event runs safely. The event organiser, whether an individual, charity or community group, has prime responsibility, and an obligationinlaw,forprotectingthehealth,safetyandwelfar eofeveryoneworkingat,orattending, theevent.Soinpracticeanystaff,volunteers,helpersandthepublic.Forsmalleventssuchasjumble sales, presentations and exhibitions held in village, school or church halls and fund raising events organised by groups like school PTA’s, church, community and vo luntary groups and charitable societiesthesepeoplemustbeconsidered Good planning and management are fundamental to the success of any event.All organisers are recommendedtousethesectionheadingsinthisguideasaframeworkorchecklistforplanningtheir particulareventandtohighlightthemainareasforconsiderationintheirriskasses sment. Whatthisguideisnot‐‐‐‐‐theinformationcontainedinthisguidehasprimarilybeenwrittentoprovide advice for small and medium sized events of various types.Larger events such as rock concerts in sports stadiums are not catered for in this guide and more sp ecific, detailed guidance should be sought as referenced in recommended reading.This guide does not replace the need for event organisers to seek advice from other sources and particularly for consultation with relevant Local Authority officers and the emergency services.These officers will be prepared to offer advice and assistanceincludingwhetheraPremisesLi cenceisrequiredornot. 1.1Responsibilityfortheeventandplanning Whenplanninganyeventthereshouldbeanamedorganiseridentifiedattheearliestopportunity(see 2.1‐ general legal considerations). For larger events,a detailed management structure should be drawnupformallyidentifyingwhoisresponsibleandforwhat.Thereshouldalsobeaneventsafety plan. Planningforsafety Effective planning willidentify, eliminate and control hazards and risks. The amount of time that needs to be set aside for planning will very much depend upon the size, type and duration of the event,butstartearly!Listedbelowaretherecommendedphasesofplanningtheevent 5 THEPHASESOFEVENTPLANNING Preparation/“buildup” Mayincludeplanningthevenuedesign,selectionofcompetentworkers,selectionofcontractorsand subcontractors,constructionofstages/temporaryroadways/marquees/fencingetc. ‘Loadin’ Mayincludeplanningforthesafedeliveryandinstallationofequipmentandserviceswhichwillbe usedattheevent,e.g.stageequipmentusedbytheperformers,lighting,publicaddress(PA)systems etc. TheActualEvent (e.g.durationfete/show/concert/gigisopentothepublic). Mayincludeplanningeffectivecrowdmanagementstrategies,transportmanagement strategiesandwelfarearrangements.Planningstrategiesfordealingwithfire,firstaid,contingencies andmajorincidentsetc. ‘Loadout’&‘Breakdown’ Requiresplanningforsaferemovalofequipment,vehiclesandservicesandwillinclude planningtocontrolrisksoncetheeventisoverandtheinfrastructureisbeingdismantled. Collectionofrubbishandwaste‐waterdisposalpresentriskswhichalsoneedtobeplannedand managed. 1.2PublicandEmployer’sLiabilityInsurance Itisstronglyrecommendedthatyougetpublicliabilityinsurancebeforeaneventtakesplaceasthe absence of it may lead to the event not being supported by the public authorities and emergency services. If mustget employer’s liability insurance if you are employing people as it is a legal requirem ent. 6 2HEALTHANDSAFETY 2.1Thelaw For health and safety legislation toapply toyour event, a work activity must exist. Many events will involve a work activity (i.e. at least one person will be employed ‘at work’: for example during preparation,theactualeventorthepost‐eventbreakdown/clear‐up)andthereforebesu bjecttothe HealthandSafetyatWorketc.Act1974(HASWA)andsubsidiarylegislation. HASAW puts legal requirements on everyone involved in managing the event.Legal relationships between promoters, event organisers, contractors, exhibitors/traders, performers, land/property owners etc. can be a verycomplex area of law so it isimportant to establishclear health and sa fety responsibilities. It is therefore important toidentify all those with health and safety responsibilities thatareinvolvedintheevent.Inthemajorityofcasesthemainresponsibilitywillrestwiththeevent organiser.Experiencesuggestsitisadvisabletoagreecontractualresponsibilitiesinwriting. Even if there is ‘no work activity’, it isgood practice for a group or organisatio n with volunteer workers to provide the same level of health and safety protection as they would in an employee/employerrelationshipirrespectiveofwhethertherearestrictlegalduties.Thisisbeca usea commonlawdutyofcarewillalwaysexistincircumstanceswherenooneis‘atwork’. Thereare3mainrequirements: Employersmustensurethehealth,safetyandwelfareoftheiremployeessofarasisreasonably practicable; Employers must provide and maintain plant and sys tems of work that are, so far as is reasonablypracticable,safeandwithoutriskstohealth; Employers must conduct their undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,thatpeople who are nottheiremployees(e.g. guests,members of the public and contractors) are not expose d to risks to their health and safety.(This Section also imposes a similardutyontheself‐employedtowardsthemselvesandotherpeople). Youmustalsoundertake riskassessmentswhichhelp you decide what hazards arespecificto youreventandwhatcontrolmeasuresareneede d.Youmustconsider: thehealthandsafetyriskstowhichtheiremployeesareexposedwhileatwork;and thehealthandsafetyriskstootherpeopleresultingfromorinconnectionwiththeemployers’ work,inordertoidentifythemeasuresneededtocomplywithhealthandsafetylegi slation. Thesamedutyisplacedonself‐employedpeopleinrespectoftheirownhealthandsafetyandthatof otherpeople. 2.2Howtodoariskassessment Riskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutforallphasesoftheeventincludingthesite/venuepreparation, theeventandthesite/v enuebreakdownorclear‐up.(Seeflowdiagramonpage5). 7 Theseparatepartstotheriskassessmentareshowninboldbelow: Identifythehazardsassociatedwiththeeventi.e.anythingthatcancauseharm.(Youcanlook atspecificpublications,visitingthesiteorvenueandobtainingdetailsofspecifichazardsfrom contractors,cateringoutletsandsuppliersofspecialeff ectsetc). Decidewhomaybeharmedandhow Assessthelevelofrisk Identifyappropriateandadequateprecautions;and Recordyourfindings.(Ifyouhavefewerthanfiveemployeesyoudonotneedtowriteanything down,thoughitisusefultokeepawritt enrecordofwhatyouhavedone).(Ifyouareapplying forapremiseslicenceundertheLicensingAct2003,relevantprecautionsshouldbelistedwithin the‘publicsafety’partofthelicensingobjectives). Theoveralleventriskassessmentwillhelptodeterminewhatcontrolsorprecautionsyouneedtoput into place to manage the eve nt safely. This should include planning, communicating and practicing your emergency procedures. It isstrongly recommended thatevery eventis risk assessed,whether thelawsaysitshouldbeornot. (Page26ofthisguideprovidesablankriskassessmenttemplate.ForfurtherinformationseetheRisk M anagementsectionoftheHSEwebsitewhichincludesexampleriskassessmentsat www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm .Oneoftheexamplesshownonthewebsiteisanightclubwhich providesausefulillustrationofhowamusicvenueriskassessmentcouldbedocumented). 2.3Thevenue/site Alleventsmusthaveadequatespace for the public to movesafelyaroundthestalls, rides, camping areas, performance /stage,arena /exhibition areas etc. The routes to exits must be unobstructed by thestalls/goodsetcandthisisespeciallyimportantwhentheeventisindoors. If the event is being held outdoors, the car park, footpaths and any staging/str uctures should be suitable for use in bad weather conditions and think how bad weather may affect your emergency arrangements. Youmustidentifyandcontrolobvioushazardsonboththesiteandsurroundingareas,suchasstored chemicals or machinery, unfenced holes, steep drops b etween different ground levels, ponds/water andunsafeorotherstructuresthatthepublicshouldbekeptawayfrombymeansofbarrier/fencing Height restrictions should be identified and also notified at the access to the site.Where overhead cablesareaproblemyoushouldliaisewiththelocalpowerdistributi oncompany. If you need to dig into the ground, the presence of any underground services or pipelines will also needtobetakenintoaccount. Slip, trip, fall or other similar hazards should be considered and addressed as part of the risk assessmentasshouldthesuitabilityofthegroundforstages,heavyplantandtetheredstructures. Think about workplace transport risks / vehicle safety issues such as reversing vehicles and obstructionstothedriversview,pedestriancrossingroutes,roughterrainetc. Check that there will be enough lighting throughout the site/venue, including adequate temporary emergencylighting(iftheeventgoesonafterdark). Makesurethatyoureventwillnotcauseanoisenuisancebyselectingthesiteandstagingcarefully (seesection3). 8 Considersuitablearrangementstoenablepeopleofdifferentabilitiestoattend/accesstheeventand usethefacilitiesprovided. Wheretostart: Prepareasketchplanofthesite,(preferablytoscale)showingthepositionofalltheactivities/ attractions,services,circulationroutesandexits. Seekearlyapprovalfromlocalhighwayaut horityifroadclosuresorspecialtrafficmanagement arrangementsarerequiredonthehighway. Haveenoughexitsfor amassorderlyevacuationofthe siteandtheoccupantcapacityagreed withtheemergencyservices. Haveentrancesandexitsidentifiedforemergencyvehicleaccess.Theseshouldbeagreedwith theem ergencyservices.Emergencyexitsandroutesshouldbeclearofobstructionsatalltimes andshouldbeclearlyindicatedbysuitablesignswhichareilluminatedifnecessary. Make sure that construction work and vehicle movements that may take place during site preparationaresupervisedand/orprotectedbysuitablebarriers. Arrange se parate vehicle and pedestrian entrances/exits to the site and arrange entrance queuesthatdonotobstructvehicleaccessornearbyroadjunctions. Site any car parking well away from the pedestrian areas of the site.Clearly signpost the parkingareaanddonotallowcarstobepa rkedanywhereelse. Design and provide stewarded car parking areas to manage the risk from hazards to pedestrians such as reversing vehicles.Have cars facing down or across a slope as it can be difficulttodriveupaslopeifgroundissoftoritrainsduringtheeventandtherearelotsofcars tryingtogetof fthecarparkinthesamedirection. Consider stopping vehicles moving in the public areas of the site during the event, unless for emergencypurposes,oraccompaniedbystewards. Make sure the entrance is well stewarded (especially when there is a limit on the number of peopletha tcanbeaccommodatedattheevent)andthatanaccurateformof‘headcounting’is operatedtopreventovercrowdingonsiteandatexits. 2.4TheCrowdMakeup Risk associated with some hazards may increase or decrease given different types of crowd . (See ManagingCrowdsSafelyHSG154). Think: What are theneeds of young children, teenagers, those with disabilities and elderly people then make“reasonable adjustments” for these people e.g.provide extra help at an even t and/orchangethephysicalfeaturestoovercomephysicalbarrierstoaccess. Does your eventpolicy andpromotional material reflect an inclusive approach(e.g. could you providematerialinlargerprint/alternativelanguagesetc). 2.5Safetybarriers Barriersserveseveraldifferentpurposes.Theycanprovidephysicalsecurityorbeusedtopreventthe audienceaccessingequipment,displays,moving machinesetc.Theymayalsobeusedto relieveand preventthebuildupofaudiencepressures,e.g.aproperlyconstructedfrontofstagebarrier. 9 BarrierswillbepushedagainstandmustbedesignedtowithstandthisloadYoumustcheckwithyour supplierthattheyarefitforyourpurposes. (ForfurtherspecificinformationonbarriersseeTheEventSafetyGuide(HSG195)andtheInstituteof Structural Engineers publication Temporary Demountable Structures‐Guidance on procurement, designanduse.(ThirdEdition)(2007)). 2.6Inf ormationnoticesandsignage Safetysignsandinformationnoticesareaveryimportantmeansofcommunicationatanevent.(See recommended reading). Internationallyrecognised logos arehelpful to non‐Englishspeaking/reading individuals.Sothattheyarerecognizablesafetysignsmustcomplywiththelaw (Note:IfthesignsareonthehighwaytheymustcomplywiththeTra fficSignsRegulationsandGeneral Directions2002).Alsorememberthatenclosedstructuresneedsignagetoprohibitsmokinginside. Consider: Multilingualsigns/notices. Is there enough signage/notices of suitable size around the venue, for example lost property, lostchildren,safetysignage(asappropriate). 2.7TemporaryStructures Staging/LightingTowers It is veryimportantthat if youare havinganystaging, lighting/sound towers, theyareerected by a competentpersonandwrittenconfirmationisobtainedfromthemtosaythatthestructuresaresafe inallforeseeableconditions,includingpoorweather. Makesurethatallthestagingand/orstructuresarepositionedsoasno ttoobstructanyentrancesor exitsfromthesite. Fall protection for the edge of the stage facing the audience is not normally provided but the edge should be clearly marked. Other physical obstructions, unprotected edges, edges by gaps and stair nosings should all be marked with whi te, luminous or reflective tape (guidance suggests such markingsshouldbeaminimumof25mmwidetobevisible)orinacontrastingcolour. All staging and structures should be free from trip hazards and other physical hazards (i.e. sharp edges/points/protrudingsupportmembers). (ForfurtherinformationseetheInstituteofStructuralEngineerspublicationTempo raryDemountable Structures.Guidanceonprocurement,designanduse.(ThirdEdition)(2007)). Marquees/Tents. IfyouarehavingmarqueesandtentsyoushouldasktheFireServicetheirthoughtsonsafetyaspects includingsiting, construction, flame retardency and the provision of exits, emergency lighting etc. Yourriskassessmentshouldidentifywhatisasafedistancebetweenmarquees,caravans,vehiclesand otherstructures. Think about the arrangements to stop unauthorised persons gainin g access to or interfering with equipmentetcwhentheeventisopentothepublic. 10 The wind loading specification for each marquee should be obtained for use when planning for possibleemergencies. Access routes for emergency services should be maintained behind marquees, tents and other structures. (ForfurtherinformationseethePerformanceTextilesAssociationPublication–theMUTAmarq“Best Practice Guide for the Safe Use and Operation of Mar quees and Temporary Structures at www.performancetextiles.org.uk/public/downloads/mutamarq.pdf ). (Also see TheWork at Height Regulations 2005 and Falls From Height section of the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/regulations.htm ) 2.8Firesafety Asetof fire safetyguides have been developed to helpexplainwhatyouhave to do to complywith firesafetylaw,helpyoutocarryoutafireriskassessmentandidentifythegeneralfireprecautionsyou need to have in place.The guide(s) mos t useful to you will depend on the size and nature of your venue,visitthewebsiteatwww.communities.gov.uk/fire/firesafety/firesafetylaw/aboutguides Youshould: CarryoutaFireRiskAssessmentasrequiredbylaw. Contact your local Fire Prevention Officer for advice. (Contact details for the Fire Service in Dorsetaregiveninthe‘SourcesofFurtherInformationandGuidance’section). Agreeameansofraisinganalarmorother wisecommunicatingthewarning in the event of a fireandcheckitisworkingeffectively. Provide appropriate equipment around the site/venue for putting out fires (e.g. fire extinguishers,fireblankets). Makesurethatstewardsknowwheretheequipmentisandhowtouseit.Theyshouldbetold nottoattemp ttofightmajorfires. MakesureeverybodyknowstocalltheFireBrigadeatoncetoanyfire,suspectedorreal. Provideappropriateseparationdistancesbetweenindividualmarquees/tents/stallstoprevent thespreadoffire. Followappropriateguidanceifyouintendtoletofffir eworksattheevent. Considerdieselgeneratorsinsteadofpetrolasdieselislessflammable. See2.3(above)onsite/venuedesignofsiteentrancesandexits. 2.9Electricalinstallationsandlighting Electricitycancausedeathorseriousinjurytoperformers,workersormembers of the public. Faults, damage, misu se or poor maintenance can result in an appliance or part of an installation becoming unsafe, and arisk of electric shock or fire.In many circumstances the electrical supply may be of a temporary nature, but this does not mean that it can be substandard or of an inferior quality to a perm anentinstallation. • Thewholeinstallation,includingwiring,switchgearandanygeneratorshouldbeinstalledina safemannerbyacompetentperson(i.e.trained,suitablyqualifiedelectrician). • All electrical installations and equipment must comply with the general requirements of the ElectricityatWorkRegulations1989. • The electrical installation (temporary or perman ent) should be inspected/tested by a competentpersonin accordingwiththeprocedureslaiddowninrelevantBritishStandards. [...]... Noise at Work in the Music and Entertainment Sectors – Guidance: www.soundadvice.info www.hse.gov.uk/noise/musicsound.htm Festival and Event planning Toolkit – Tourism Partnership Mid Wales www.tpmw.love‐media.co.uk/files/99.pdf. Tourism Network North East – Festivals and Events Toolkit www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/pages/information‐sheets. Wales Tourist Board Festival and Events Toolkit www.timelineforevents.co.uk/. Contains a wealth of relevant information. ... look at the workplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety, and to check that you are complying with health and safety law. The inspector may offer guidance or advice to help you. He/she may also talk to employees and their representatives, take photographs and samples, serve notices and take action if there is a risk to health and safety which needs to be dealt with immediately. ... competent Acoustic Engineers who may be able to offer advice as to how any potential noise nuisance might be minimised. PRS Licence The Performing Rights Society (PRS) is a non‐profit making membership organisation of composers, songwriters, authors & publishers of music. The function of the PRS is to collect royalties on behalf of its members, from music users in the UK. A ... safety officers at your local authority. 20 7 WHAT TO EXPECT FROM INSPECTORS Inspectors will always carry identification which will tell you who they are and what their powers are. If you are in any doubt about the identity of someone who claims to be an inspector, ask to see their written authority documents. Health and safety The law is enforced by inspectors from both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and by inspectors ... equipment, including switchgear, should be satisfactorily protected to prevent unauthorised access and/ or interference. • Consider the location of generators and accessibility for refuelling purposes. Where possible only store one container of fuel by the generator and keep the rest in suitable containers in a safe, securely fenced, signed storage area in a suitable location. If the venue is close to a residential ... The law is enforced by inspectors from your local authority. Food hygiene is dealt with by officers from each of the district and borough councils, but food standards work is handled by Trading Standards Officers from Dorset County Council or officers from the Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council only. Inspectors have the right to enter any premises where food is handled for sale or distribution to others ... Inspectors have the right to enter any premises where food is handled for sale or distribution to others as part of an event, whether it is a workplace or not, but they will normally give notice if they wish to enter someone’s home. They are able to serve notices to bring about improvements or prevent unsafe activities. Licensing Licensing Officers are employed by local authorities and have powers of entry into licensed premises. They work with other enforcement officers to ensure licence conditions are met. ... People bringing portable electrical equipment onto the site should be able to show routine inspection and/or testing of the equipment by a competent person. Specialist advice must be sought from HSE in relation to guidance on the electrical safety of fairground equipment. Ensure artificial light to all parts of an outdoor venue is adequate if there is not enough daylight. Consider the lighting of the first aid post, information ... has a telephone to: a. Monitor the event giving an early indication of any problems b. Manage incidents c. Act as a base for any communications system 2.14 Welfare Facilities There are certain requirements for welfare facilities (including toilets) for people who are ‘at work’. Beyond this, clearly it is appropriate to provide an adequate number and type of toilets for the number of people expected to attend the event including provision for people with disabilities. For licensed ... The law is enforced by inspectors from both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and by inspectors from your local authority. In Dorset some inspectors hold flexible warrants which allow them to take action across the whole County. Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace without giving notice, though notice may be given where the inspector thinks it is appropriate. On a normal inspection visit an inspector would expect to look at the workplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety, and to check that . 1 Guidance to assist organisers of Small Events 2 CONTENTSPage 1 required to assist in the organisers statutoryobligations to reportaccidentsandinjuries to workersandaudiencemembersunder theReporting of DiseasesandDangerousOccurrencesRegulations1995(RIDDOR).