In some camps, the world of health and safety still suffers something of an image problem. Despite the subject's continued rise up the event industry agenda, there are still those who view the issue as a bureaucratic obstacle.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," says Steve Kearney, founder of health and safety specialist SKC. "I find it very frustrating when I hear people complaining that they can't do something because of health and safety. The safety of an individual cannot be compromised at any price. The Health & Safety at Work Act tries to protect not only the employee, but also the employer."
Recent legislative changes have brought the subject to the fore once again. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into force in April. It introduces a new offence for convicting an organisation where a gross failure in the way activities were managed or organised resulted in a person's death. The landmark changes mean that companies are now exposed to corporate manslaughter charges and uncapped fines.
"Prosecutions will be of the corporate body and not individuals, but the liability of directors, board members or other individuals under health and safety law or general criminal law will be unaffected," says Kearney. "The corporate body itself and individuals can still be prosecuted for separate health and safety offences though. Companies and organisations need to keep their health and safety management systems under review, in particular the way in which their activities are managed and organised by senior management."
Ensuring health and safety practices are adhered to can be an intricate affair. Event organisers can have any number of contractors on-site, providing a variety of diverse services. This can be a challenge, but across the industry there is encouraging commitment to ensuring that standards are maintained.
Mike Richmond is managing director of Richmond Event Management (REM). The firm, which specialises in large-scale, outdoor events, has worked with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Bristol City Council and Glasgow City Council. "We work closely with The Event Safety Shop (TESS) on all of our events," says Richmond. "Health and safety has become such an important element that we have developed formal ties with TESS to cover all our events. We have also developed quality assurance and management systems, which are now in place to allow our staff to become qualified and competent in health and safety matters."
According to Richmond, assigning budget to such matters should be a consideration from the start. "There should always be an allocation within the business plan that reflects the aspirations of the event, and it will vary within a wide range of parameters. I would say health and safety should be at the top of the budget column."
An increasingly litigious climate has exacerbated the need for stringent health and safety agendas across the board, and companies such as Kearney's SKC are becoming more and more popular. He set up SKC in 2006 and has worked with agencies including The Concerto Group, The Rouge Partnership and Gallowglass. "Organisations that use an external health and safety consultancy are complying with relevant legislation (The Management of Health and Safety Regs sec 7(1)), which requires employers to have access to competent advice," Kearney says. "Although when competency is defined, sometimes training alone is not sufficient. Organisations should consider the other key elements defined as contributing to competency, namely knowledge, ability and experience."
A contained exhibition environment can be no less demanding. To coincide with the Corporate Manslaughter Act coming into effect, the Business Design Centre (BDC) in north London produced a dedicated seminar for organisers and contractors. A total of 45 guests attended, including a representative from Islington Environmental Health Office. The aim of the day was to raise awareness of recent changes to health and safety law, while also highlighting both good and bad practice.
"It's about reminding people of the issues and asking them to play their part. We are asking for their support," says BDC head of exhibition services Bradley Cordes. The venue has assumed responsibility for collating risk assessments and method statements from each exhibitor, a job that had previously fallen to the organiser. "If we don't receive these prior to tenancy they won't be allowed on-site until they produce it," Cordes adds.
Collaboration between industry parties is key, but there are also numerous experts who can advise. As well as dedicated health and safety professionals, the industry's various associations pride themselves on providing support and education in the field.
"The biggest misconception, for contractors especially, is they feel as though they are isolated. Associations are there to help and health and safety should not be viewed as a barrier. People should speak to fellow members to find solutions," says Chris Skeith, director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA).
This year, ESSA, alongside sister body the Association of Event Venues (AEV), launched the 'Guidance for working at UK exhibitions' initiative. It's an online resource that communicates guidance based on procedures at UK-based AEV member venues. A working group chaired by X-Venture Risk Management Solutions included EC&O Venues, Excel London and the NEC Group. It helped identify where existing self-regulatory policies, relating to health and safety and other operational procedures, were - or could be - the same or were unavoidably different. The resource is updated bi-annually with potential for additions when needed.
For 2008, ESSA is focusing on another scheme. "We are working on a contractors' register that would hold details on companies and individuals," says Skeith. The project would involve identity badges allowing venues to access information regarding, for example, public liability insurance and health and safety credentials. "The ultimate vision is one pass for all venues," Skeith adds.
With so many areas of the industry committed to maintaining health and safety standards, it has an impressive pool of resources. Initiatives are invaluable in producing a benchmark for the sector and ensuring all participants can gauge where their responsibilities lie. However, as Skeith says, no one can escape accountability. "Everyone is responsible for health and safety," he says. "All stakeholders are ultimately responsible."
TOP TIPS
The venue - Bradley Cordes, head of exhibition services, BDC
1. Never compromise health and safety
2. When possible, employ a competent floor manager who will be responsible for health and safety
3. Understand your responsibilities
4. Support the venue in its quest to ensure the safety of staff, tenants, exhibitors, contractors and visitors within the building
5. Risk assessments, risk assessments, risk assessments. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for a risk assessment and method statement to be carried out, and to regularly monitor activities
TOP TIPS
The specialist - Steve Kearney, founder, SKC
1. Ensure all licences are relevant to the event and completed correctly
2. Compose an event safety management plan
3. Ensure that all the contractors are capable of carrying out their tasks safely, and that every supplier provides you with venue/event-specific risk assessments, method statements and has suitable public liability insurances in place
4. Ensure that you, as the organiser, have carried out a risk assessment
5. Not only is it your legal duty to train staff, but your responsibility is also to ensure the safety of everyone who works on your site.