HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION & SAFE WORKING PRACTICES FOR CONTRACTORS AND EVENT PERSONNEL

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the guidance is to provide a general set of instructions for safe working in order to prevent any undue risk to yourself, other personnel or contractors. However, it is always important to consider how your work may affect the public (either those attending the show or around the site for other reasons).

On arrival at the site, all personnel will receive a Site Safety Induction. This will outline general site rules and emergency contacts. Every member of the event crew MUST know:

• How to get help in an emergency
• What to do if a fire/evacuation alarm sounds
• Where to find basic rest/welfare facilities
• Where to find first aid

If there are any questions please speak with the Event Management Team.

The physical safety of people working on the event is of paramount importance and the general safety systems detailed in this document have been produced to help provide you and your colleagues with a safe place of work and a safe way of making the event happen. There may be additional specific safe working methods and procedures for your particular area of work determined by your employer or provider of equipment, and you should ensure that these are followed.

The event is:	Starry Village
This event site is:	Barton Hill Farm, Kentchurch, Hereford, HR2 0BZ
The site specific hazards are:	– Woods on site – Animal faeces – Overhead powerlines
The nearest A&E facility is:	Hereford Country Hospital Hereford County Hospital, Stonebow Rd, Hereford HR1 2ER 01432 355444
Out of hours Emergency phone number:	Will be available on the Event Office door
What you should bring with you to site:	You must bring your own personal equipment, PPE, the tools of your trade, refillable water bottles, cups plates cutlery etc. We want to eliminate single use (plastics especially) and reduce waste wherever possible.

WHO DOES THIS GUIDE APPLY TO?

The guide applies to everyone working on the event; from the directors to suppliers delivering equipment. The aim is to ensure everyone remains in one piece and that equipment (and the show) is protected from loss or damage. Aside from the obvious issue of personal injury there is also a legal requirement for the event to operate in a way that will not expose the directors or individuals to prosecution.

DOES THIS MEAN I CAN’T JUST GET ON WITH THE JOB?

Good health and safety management is about creating a positive attitude amongst the crew to do the job properly and to look for things that could cause problems or accidents. The event is absolutely focused on letting people get on with the job,  but doing it safely. Broken kit and broken bones is one of the surest ways of making things slow, painful and expensive. Our objective is to produce an accident?free show, achieving the highest standards of professional behaviour.

Sure, there is red?tape out there, but with good planning and a commitment to doing things the right way, we can comply with all the legislation whilst creating a safe and happy workplace.

SITE SAFETY RULES 

• Crew and contractors must report to the Event Office before commencing work on site. 
• DRIVE SLOWLY. The site speed limit is 10 mph. This is second gear idling. Do not use hazard lights on site as this can cause confusion to pedestrians. 
• Watch out for pedestrians and children at all times. Use a banksman when reversing. Do not use phones or radios when driving unless you have a proper hands-free device.
• Keep to tracks and roadways. Avoid driving on the grass where you can. Special attention must be paid to prevent damage to the ground, tree branches or roots. If the ground conditions are particularly bad then all driving onsite will be suspended.
• Where your work area may present a risk to others you should create a safe working area using barriers, tape or signage as necessary.
• Any work at height – even at low levels – must be carried out safely.  Steps and ladders are for short-term work, must be secure and particular care taken to avoid over-reaching or leaning. Ladders should always be footed by a second person. 
• Scaffold towers must be correctly built and sited on firm level ground as far as possible and are preferred to ladders.
• Use of any plant equipment is restricted to authorised users only. User tickets must be registered with the event office before any keys are provided. Users must be fit and alert when using any heavy machinery and work with a banksman as far as possible.
• Take note of any identified overhead hazards or height restrictions. For example cables flown on goalposts or tree branches.
• Electrical work can only be undertaken when supplies have been confirmed as safe and ready for use. Live electrical work is not permitted without a permit to work and can only be undertaken by a competent qualified person.
• Any work involving ‘hot work’ such as welding or grinding, or any work with gas or liquid fuels should be undertaken with due regard to fire safety. Please discuss this work with the Site Manager. Oxy-Acetylene is not permitted.
• Any accident or incident must be reported immediately to the Event Office during the build and break, and during the show.
• Keep your work area tidy and dispose of waste properly. Try and separate waste for recycling.
• All staff are required to use the appropriate PPE for the task. This particularly applies to chainsaw use where full protection must be worn without exception. PPE requirements may change as areas of the site are completed and major site risks reduced. This may include relaxation in some areas of requirements for Hi-Viz, hard hats and protective footwear. 
• Make sure you have enough light to see what you are doing. Please ask Event Office in advance if your work is likely to extend into hours of darkness.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

• If an accident occurs firstly ensure that nobody else is in any immediate danger, i.e. from electric shock, traffic, falling objects etc.
• Do not move the casualty unless they are in further danger.
• Assess the situation; if you are trained administer first aid. If not send someone to call the site first aider. Don’t be afraid to ask people for help.
• If the casualty is conscious reassure them.
• NEVER give the casualty food or drink.
• Clear by-standers and onlookers from the area, but keep a note of witnesses.
• When the casualty has been cleared from the site, in conjunction with the Event Management, complete a witness accident report form.
• Think how the accident might have been prevented.

During the build and derig periods report all incidents to the Event Office.

During the event, report all incidents to the Event Office – they will contact onsite first aid/paramedics or the appropriate emergency service and ensure they are directed to the correct location.

Outside of office hours, In the event of an emergency, please ring the number provided at the top of this document. The Event Office is not operational 24 hours so use this out-of-hours phone number when needed. If required, please ring 999 first.

The nearest A&E facility is addressed at the top of this document. 

Please let the safety team know of all circumstances where medical attention is needed to ensure the correct service is chosen. This includes any trivial or minor injuries please.

IN THE EVENT OF FIRE

Raise the alarm by shouting FIRE to colleagues in the immediate area and contact the Event Office as soon as possible using site radios or mobile phones. 

The Event Office will escalate to Fire Service as necessary.

Individual venues and performance areas shall adopt an emergency show stop procedure to follow in the case of any incident. All staff need to be aware of the procedure for their area.

Where trained to do so, tackle the fire using extinguishers available around the site. Only attempt to extinguish a fire if it is safe to do so, and always keep yourself between the fire and your escape route.

Evacuate the area, assist others where it is safe to do so and inform the Event Office if any of your working group are missing. 

Do not return to the area unless you are told it is safe to do so by the Emergency Service present, the Site Manager, or a member of the Event Management team.

OTHER INCIDENTS

Notify the Event Office of any incidents you may notice such as broken fencing, toilet leaks, gas leaks, or any other potential safety hazards. 

If you witness actual or potential disorder do not put yourself at risk. Notify Event Office or a security immediately. Clear the area of vulnerable bystanders and potential weapons and await assistance from security.

CONTRACTORS AND FREELANCERS

The event will clearly involve the use of various contractors and freelance personnel, some of whom may have their own health and safety policies and method statements for carrying out particular work operations.  The information given below (and detailed in the risk assessments) is intended to complement and not replace any existing contracted company policy and should be seen as a statement of overall safety strategy for the event.

Regardless of the employment status of staff, everyone working on the event will be expected to comply with both the spirit and the letter of these statements on safe working.  To put it at its most simple:  it doesn’t matter who is paying you and what you have done in the past, if you are carrying out work on the event, you MUST follow these guidelines.

PERSONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS

In order to keep functioning in the longer term it is obviously important to keep yourselves fit and healthy by eating well, resting properly and taking care of any minor injuries or strains. Keep an eye out for your colleagues as even a simple strain or a minor injury can easily become much worse if not properly managed, or result in complications leading to long-term sickness.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

It is well known and obvious that drugs and alcohol may affect an individual’s ability to perceive problems or work safely. The event advises all staff to avoid overindulgence and requests that they do not attempt to work while they may be under the influence. Any staff found to be working under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs will be required to stop work and may be asked to leave the site. 

WORKING HOURS

We all know that events of this type require long hard work over a prolonged period in sometimes difficult weather conditions. However, there comes a time when your personal safety and that of your colleagues is compromised by fatigue. You should not work beyond a point where it is safe, or when your ability to concentrate is compromised. 

If you have concerns over your own state of fatigue or that of a colleague, raise this with the Event Office. The event is committed to safe working and will do everything it reasonably can to make sure people are properly rested.

ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS

All contractors should nominate an individual to be responsible for first aid for their own staff. During the build and break, a first aid box will be available in the Event Office, and there will be a suitably qualified first aiders will be identified from amongst the event team to assist where necessary. During the show there will be a medical team onsite to deal with any issues.

All accidents and any near-miss incidents MUST be reported to the Event Office and an appropriate entry made in the log or accident book.  

The management have adopted a no-blame policy to promote disclosure and discussion if anything should go wrong.  Clearly, we all want to avoid accidents and breakages, but if something does happen, then there is an opportunity to learn and improve. 

STAFF WELFARE AND CONSULTATION

It is the intention of the event to ensure that all working personnel have access to suitable washing and sanitary facilities. These shall be installed onsite from the outset. Personnel are asked to maintain facilities as clean and usable for everyone and report any problems or issues.

A member of the event site team will be available at any time to discuss any issue relating to staff welfare or other concerns on safe working. Where necessary they can provide a route through to festival management to address serious issues or complaints.

CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

It is likely that some personnel will travel with their families and it is inevitable that some will have their children with them. These personnel will be asked to ensure that their children are supervised at all times during the build and derig periods and not allowed to run free.

All personnel are reminded to be aware of the possible presence of children in their working areas and should report any problems to the Event Office.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING

A lot of accidents, minor and major are caused by poor levels of tidiness in the workplace. There needs to be a systematic approach for keeping the work environment safe and tidy and this needs to come from everyone. This means making sure empty flight cases are sensibly stashed (with butterfly catches done up), cables don’t run over walkways where they can be tripped over or damaged by vehicles and so on.

Work must be organised such that traffic routes, exits and pedestrian walkways are not compromised.

Storage areas for empty stillages and unused materials will be identified by Site Management.

Dispose of all waste materials in bins; this includes broken cable ties, food waste or packaging, empty drinks bottles and used gaffa tape balls.

Smokers should use the sand buckets,  located around the site for disposing of cigarette ends. Please do not use these buckets for other waste. Please do not litter the ground with fag butts.

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

Although obvious and simple, accidents of this type are responsible for the most injuries to event workers. This inevitably leads to considerable pain or discomfort as well as potentially damaging to the livelihood of the persons concerned.

Be aware of your environment and avoid becoming distracted by phone calls, texts and IM’s. Take particular care at the edges of any platforms, ramps, steps and treads or on uneven ground. Be aware of any incomplete stage sections or scaffold structures. Report any problems with the stability or security of any stage or flooring sections, handrails and so on.

Ensure any spillages and waste materials are cleared up as soon as possible and that materials are stacked or stored safely.

Please take notice of and use pedestrian routes or any barriered or signed safe working areas where they have been created.

Ensure tent pegs or other projections from the ground are properly clad or highlighted.

Due to the nature of the site it is possible that some areas will be affected by very low lighting levels and while particular care should be taken at night it would be helpful if any specific hazards could be reported to the Event Office.

SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

In general, there will be very few substances hazardous to health used on site. If you are in any doubt about a chemical or substance being used, please consult the Event Office.

Certain substances can be harmful and can cause irritation when coming into contact with skin or eyes or more serious damage if inhaled or ingested. Care should be taken with some glues or spray paints to ensure the area is well ventilated. Appropriate protective equipment should be used.

FIRE SAFETY

The priority onsite is to prevent fire from occurring in the first place. All personnel should make themselves familiar with exit routes, the method of raising the alarm and the location of any fire-fighting equipment.

Any contractor needing to undertake any sort of ‘hot work’ (grinding, welding, metal cutting etc) will be required to discuss the work with the Event Office in advance to identify the precautions required to prevent any outbreak of fire.

All personnel should ensure that work areas or kept tidy and waste removed to bins or skips. 

Any flammable substances or materials brought onto site should be notified to the safety team and any special instructions for use provided by the supplier should be followed. Please note that Oxy-Acetylene is not permitted onsite due to the volatility of the fuel and the potential risks to the entire show that it can present.

Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas. No smoking is permitted in any enclosed structure. Smoking materials should be disposed of carefully.

Fire exit routes should be maintained as clear at all times both inside and outside venues or enclosed structures.

Guidance on fire safety planning for venues and art projects is provided in a separate document and includes consideration of venue layout, choice of materials used for décor, designing exit routes and determining capacities.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND MAINS CONNECTION

All electrical equipment provided for use on the site must be fit for purpose and in a good state of repair.  Regular inspection and testing of all equipment is required and where applicable a certificate of Portable Appliance Test (PAT) conformity should be readily available.  

It is the responsibility of the on-site electricians to make mains connections.  No electrical equipment should be connected unless and until they have deemed it safe to do so. Distribution boxes and other supply points shall only be provided by the accredited electricians.  

No item of electrical equipment should be plugged into the electrical system unless it has been subjected to a simple visual inspection and is in safe condition.  Connection of equipment that looks damaged or in poor condition should be avoided. Ask first. If faulty equipment is identified by site electricians they will be required to refuse connection until fixed or removed from site.

Electrical installations shall meet the requirements of BS7909/BS7671 as appropriate and the certificate of completion provided to the site safety team for each separate installation.

Portable personal generators are actively discouraged and should only be used in consultation with the Site Manager.

MANUAL HANDLING

Unloading of trucks and general installation work should ideally be done in the hours of daylight. If you think your work is going to extend into darkness, then notify the Event Office to enable them to organise some working light or power.

While most lifting and handling work can be mechanised by the use of equipment such as forklift trucks and so on, a great deal of work will ultimately require physical intervention to get equipment into place. 

Incorrect or poorly thought through methods of lifting can result in painful back strain or permanent injury including disablement and loss of quality of life. 

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK – IT IS A VERY DELICATE STRUCTURE.

The following steps can be taken to reduce the risk of injury.

• Avoid the work where possible and use a mechanical means.
• Reduce the weight of the load you have to handle. Make the load smaller or easier to lift; for example, by splitting cases into more manageable components if possible.
• Plan the lift, clear your route and make sure you can see over the load you are carrying.
• Look out for sharp edges, projections, splinters etc. Loads may be hot or very cold. Wear gloves as appropriate.
• Modify the work to reduce carrying distances, twisting movements, or lifting things from floor level or above shoulder height.
• Get help if the load is awkward or heavy, do not struggle alone. 
• Make sure that everyone involved in ‘team lifting’ tasks is working to the same plan or count.

NOISE

Working in a high noise environment is a common occupational hazard for people in the event industry, but few of us take seriously the potential for long-term injury and disability posed by working in an extremely loud workplace. 

The event is determined to minimise the danger posed to staff by loud noise and will enact measures to control exposure – either from sound systems or other sources.  If your job requires you to work in a loud environment, you should take simple steps to protect yourself from long-term damage:

• Minimise your time in the high noise area
• Reduce the noise level if possible
• Maximise your distance from the source
• Use hearing protection whenever the noise is loud. Earplugs available at the Event Office.

It is likely that some safety critical tasks or communications will be compromised by noisy environments and work should be planned to temporarily suspend such work until communication is easier. For example, work involving the movement of plant where reversing warnings may not be heard.

WORKING WITH HAND AND POWER TOOLS

All tools used should be suitable for the task at hand. Do not improvise. Use protective equipment. It is recommended that a hard hat be worn when using post bashers for example.

Only use equipment you are trained and competent to use. Do not bypass, modify or remove any safety guards or devices from equipment. 

Anyone using disc cutters, grinders or similar work equipment must be properly trained and must use the relevant protective equipment.

Users of chainsaws must use full protective equipment including a visor, hearing protection, proper footwear and ballistic clothing. Fuel must be stored safely and a working area created to prevent access by personnel not involved in the operation of the equipment.

Electrically powered tools should ideally be battery or 110V supplied. Where 240V tools are used they must be fitted with a residual current device (RCD).

WORKING WITH VEHICLES AND PLANT 

Site speed limit is 10 mph. Do not use hazard lights as it then becomes impossible for pedestrians to determine your proposed direction of travel.

All vehicles must use identified traffic routes and roadways within the site. Any staff or contractors working close to vehicles should wear a hi-viz jacket or vest to aid visibility (especially at night). Staff working at traffic gates or near public highways must wear hi-viz at all times.

All goods vehicles must have their vehicle height clearly marked in the cab, and if in doubt of height clearance, should be seen onto the site by a competent person from the event team.

Drivers of delivery vehicles should be on hand to supervise the unloading of equipment to identify where loads may have shifted in transit or where releasing of straps may cause loads to become unstable. 

When working with vehicles or plant machinery ensure that all movements are guided or directed by a banksman to warn others, particularly when reversing. 

Where a tail lift is in use it shall only be operated by a competent person, who will also ensure that personnel unfamiliar with the operation of the tail lift keep hands and feet clear. The tail lift will be either closed or lowered flat to the ground when not in use, and will be isolated to prevent improper use. Be aware that metal surfaces such as tail lifts, ramps, steps and stairs can be very slippery in wet conditions and can also be a trip hazard.

All plant must be supplied in a condition that is fit for use and operators are expected to conduct daily checks of fuel and oil levels and operation of lights and safety devices. All warning devices must be operable.

Plant such as forklifts, telehandlers, cherry pickers, scissor lifts and cranes can only be operated by duly accredited personnel. Evidence of training/competence is required in all cases.

Use of cranes will be by ‘contract lift’ arrangement only. The use of man cages shall be strictly controlled and only permitted under exceptional circumstances where no other means of access is possible or appropriate. Please contact the Safety Team.

Telehandlers and all other lifting plant should be used within the capabilities of the machine using outriggers and other stability devices where necessary. For any complex lifting issues please contact the Safety Team.

Passengers must not be carried on any plant unless there is a dedicated seat for them. No riding on footplates or standing on trailers.

Keys must not be left in unattended plant or site vehicles and vehicles should not be parked such that they block access routes.

STRUCTURES

The event will use a number of different temporary structures from tents and marquees to custom-designed stages and scaffolds. 

All structures must be built according to the manufacturer’s design or approved drawings and meet the requirements of IStructE guidance ‘Temporary Demountable Structures’. Wind-loading calculations are required for all structures that may be affected by wind and weather conditions. These will be added to the weather action plan held at Event Control and should conditions require temporary closure then this call shall be made as necessary. All stages and marquees should be able to withstand 25m/sec as a minimum.

Attachments to structures such as scenic cladding, signage or other elements that may affect its performance in the wind should be agreed in advance with the structure supplier or the events structural engineer to ensure that the appropriate ballast or underpinning is in place.

All structures with elevated working platforms must be fitted with guard rails to prevent falls from height. Stage edges should be highlighted and where possible demarcated with a temporary barrier, ratchet strap or hazard tape line during the construction period.

Suppliers of structures must provide a certificate of completion to the Event Office stating that it has been built according to the appropriate design and that it is stable and ready for use. These statements should identify any limitations on the structure in terms of applied loadings from AV or scenic installations and a maximum operating windspeed.

RIGGING AND LIFTING

All lifting operations must be planned and assessed prior to any lift being carried out. This includes checking for overhead hazards, ground conditions or other limitations on the task.

All equipment used for rigging or lifting must be appropriate for the task, used with its safe working load and where required, formally inspected and tested. Any damaged or unsuitable accessories must be removed from service.

Attachments of loads such as lighting trusses or scenic elements to structures must be approved and agreed with the structure supplier.

All installations must be secure and stable. Where equipment is flown above audience members then secondary safety bonds should be considered.

No crew member, other than those people designated by the rigging team, shall operate any lift motor or winch system. Motor controls should be isolated or disconnected when not in use.

There must be rigorous and absolute control over the mechanisms for lifting truss/screens/stage elements and so on. Safe working areas should be demarcated or barriered where necessary and appropriate PPE worn when working beneath or near lifting operations.

A strict system must be adopted to ensure that any element is safe to move prior to activation of the controls. This must include:

• Avoiding motor movements without the knowledge of the appropriate HoD or technician
• Visual check to ensure path of load is free of obstruction
• Clearance of all non?essential personnel
• Disconnection of safety system/secondary suspension
• Clear and audible warning of “truss in motion”, “screen moving” etc. prior to operation

Specialist rigs for performer flying, tightropes or other circus-style rigs must be designed and installed by a competent operator and where possible tested with a dummy load prior to first use. Frequent checks must be undertaken to ensure that the set-up remains intact and that all carabiners and clips are properly engaged and moused where necessary.

EXCAVATIONS AND CONFINED SPACES

It is possible that some installations may require excavation of the ground to facilitate it. All practical steps must be taken to prevent the collapse of excavations and ensure the safety of workers from falls into excavations. It should be noted that the use of hazard tape may not always be sufficient and a physical barrier may be required. 

Any digging to depths of more than 750mm should be advised to the Site Manager and arrangements made to shore up the sides or batter the edges of the excavation.

There are no known significant buried services on the site apart from water supply and drainage pipes however advice should be sought from the Site Manager prior to digging to ensure that no service will be damaged.

Art projects that include confined spaces should be planned to ensure that the public can be rescued easily if necessary and that the area cannot be subject to depletion or displacement of air.

WORK AT HEIGHT

Falls from height are the single biggest cause of death in the workplace.  This event will involve installing and servicing equipment at height, and a rigorous system of planning and safe operating at height is required. All work must be conducted in accordance with the Work At Height Regulations.

Improvised access to height (such as work from the forks of telehandlers) will not be permitted at any time. Failure to provide proper safe means of access to work at height may result in work being suspended leading to delays. The event maintains a small stock of ladders and access towers to facilitate safe working and can be accessed via the event office. 

The nature of the construction work will inevitably lead to exposure to fall risks from incomplete structures. All work must be organised to minimise the exposure of staff or other contractors’ exposure to these risks. Wherever possible incomplete structures should be signed or barriered to inform others that they are unfinished.

AVOID…

Wherever possible the need for work at height should be factored out. Simple changes to work routines can eliminate the need for extensive operations at height.  Lone working at height must be avoided at all times and you should ensure that someone is available to assist or raise the alarm if something goes wrong.

COMPETENCE…

Work at height should only be carried out by designated, competent individuals.  This means anyone who is going to work in the roof, up trussing, scaffolding or other elevated parts of the event site MUST be known to the production.  Any local crew “climbers” – if appointed – must be both competent and properly supervised whilst carrying out work for the event.

PERMISSION…

Work at height should only be carried out once permission has been received from the Site Manager to ensure that all structural work is complete prior to using it for suspension of motors or rigging. 

SAFE ACCESS…

The physical means of accessing a high work area must be inherently safe. The list below gives the preferred way of working at height – always try to use methods from the top of the list and work down.

1. Fixed platforms/scaffolds, 
2. Cherry pickers & scissor lifts
3. Mobile platforms (alloy towers)
4. Ladders 
5. Climbing with Fall Arrest/Restraint equipment

Bear in mind it is often the low fall that is most dangerous – because people are casual and don’t recognise the risk.  Someone working in the rig should always take precautions, but falling off a speaker stack, stepladder or tipped up flight case can have equally drastic results.

Most work at height on this site will be undertaken from either a cherry picker or from a scaffold tower.

Ensure cherry pickers are operated on firm level ground and that scaffold towers have been correctly built. In both cases ensure that outriggers have been properly deployed and load spreaders in place where necessary

When using ladders, ensure they are secured, that the ground is flat and stable, and that you have someone to ‘foot’ the base whilst at height.

Do not improvise in order to work at height. Do not stand on flight cases, shelves or bars and do not free climb scaffolding.

CLEAR BELOW…

Whenever overhead work is carried out make sure people (and kit) is cleared from below or that the operation is scheduled to avoid putting people at risk.  Ground crews have a responsibility to ensure the floor or other hazardous area is kept clear of bystanders and other non-essential staff.

PPE…

When any kind of overhead operation is carried out, all personnel at risk below MUST wear hard hats and be easily visible.  Suitable climbing helmets must be worn by people working overhead i.e. one with a chinstrap and no peak.  

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT…

When working at height all loose tools and equipment should be either removed from pockets or secured by means of lanyards or clips. Mobile phones should not be used. Radio use should be only undertaken when in a safe and secure position.

NOTE ON USE OF MANCAGES

Telehandlers and non-integrated work platforms should not be used if other access options are available. However, there are operations in which this combination may be the safest way to complete it. Any man cage operation needs to be agreed with the Site Safety Team or Site Manager, prior to work commencing.

• Only machines with a tilt lock capability should be used. Before the lift and when booming out, stabilisers must be deployed. Terrain should be as flat as possible and the machine oriented such that it is facing uphill and never across a hill or slope
• The telehandler operator must stay within the cab at all times the man cage is being used and be in communication with the worker in the cage.
• The man cage must be securely attached ensuring the retaining pins are in place prior to work commencing and backed up with a ratchet strap. 
• The worker in the basket must be attached at all times. A work positioning restraint lanyard will be used, NOT a fall-arrest system. 
• At no time should the basket be used with the boom at full extension and the vehicle must never be driven or moved in this condition. An alternative means must be found.

WATER

Any work adjacent to, or working over water presents a risk of drowning and any work in these areas should be notified to the Site Manager. Lone working on or near open water must be avoided. Where work on or adjacent to water is required then staff should use a life jacket or floatation aid. Rescue rings should be available. Life guards will be on duty during public opening period.

Only water outlets marked “DRINKING WATER”, are safe to drink.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Whilst PPE is not a substitute for avoiding accidents, it is an important element in safe and effective working.  

All event personnel will be expected to use appropriate PPE when a relevant hazard is present.  Use is not a matter of personal choice – if for example the Site Manager has deemed that hardhats must be worn whilst the lighting rig is being assembled, then staff working in the area have a legal obligation to comply.

You must have the right equipment and clothing to do the job before you start work. Without getting into too much detail the following general rules for PPE will apply: 

• Steel toe shoes or boots are required for all manual handling work. Enclosed footwear is a minimum requirement for any other work activity. Sandals and flip-flops are not acceptable.
• Hard hats must be worn when there is a risk of injury from falling materials or equipment. Climbing helmets with chin strap are recommended for those required to work at height.
• Hi-Viz jackets/vest are generally required when working with or near vehicles in reduced lighting levels.
• Full fall-arrest and fall prevention systems for anyone carrying out work at height
• Hearing protection is required for all personnel working with noisy work equipment or in close proximity to PA and sound systems.
•  

PPE must be properly looked after and worn correctly. Failure to use PPE properly or at the appropriate time will be considered a serious breach of event policy and may result in the site management taking action.

It is quite possible that other crews will take a different approach to the use of PPE.  Remember, the use of PPE is to protect you as an individual, it’s not just an arbitrary rule.  Just because some don’t wear hard hats, doesn’t mean you are no longer at risk.  Look after yourself!

The Event Team is there to help and advise, and not to place unnecessary restrictions on the way you work. Contact us if you have any questions.