Health & Safety Law
Its every workers right to work in a space where they have no danger to their health. Its the employers responsibility to make sure everything is according to code but you must help them to ensure the highest standard of safety.
- Look for potential safety hazards and take action to prevent it.
- A briefing to the staff before they set up entailing instructions and safety hazards to beware of
- Assist the health and safety representative to ensure safety in workplace
- Provide everybody with free health and safety training
- Provide free safety equipment to the staff and make sure everybody is looked after
- Provide restroom and beverage facilities
- Make sure first aid facilities are availible
- Major Injuries should be reported to our incident contact centre: 03453009923
- Other injuries and dangerous incidents should be reported at ‘www.hse.gov.uk’
- The organisation must have insurance that covers them in case they get hurt at work or ill through work.
- A hard copy of the insurance certificate must be displayed where everybody can read it.
- Working with other employers or contractors is beneficial regarding maximum safety.
- HSE (2009). Health and Safety Executive. [online] Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/law.pdf.
What must you do
- When using work equipment it is vital to follow the training provided by the employer.
- It’s important to take intensive care of your own and others health and safety
- Cooperate with your employer on health and safety.
- It’s important to bring safety hazards to everyones attention.
- Upon entry to the venue, there were multiple signs stating that there would be a loud noise environment and strobe lighting.
- To combat the high noise level exposure, we offered earplugs to both audience and participants.
- We placed silver gaffer tape over trip hazards because it is easily visible against the black flooring and cables in both dark and lit settings.
- All of the equipment used had an up-to-date PAT test.
- We followed the correct manual handling procedures.
- All lighting equipment was hung by a professional and no unauthorised persons used ladders.
- The fire alarm had been tested regularly.
If there’s a problem
- If you are concerned about your health and safety at work. Talk to the supervisor and fill them in.
- The website is always available in case of any queries.
- If you have spoken to the employer about your safety concerns and nothings been done about it, Feel free to contact your local enforcing authority for health and safety and employment medical advisory service at : www.hse.gov.uk
Fire safety
- Identify the fire hazrads
- Consider counter measure for the fir hazard s and go with the best solution
- The measure should include safety of workplace and staff as well as the public.
- Making sure fire safety equipment is up to date and fully functional.
- Get rid of naked wires.
- Get rid of flammable substances safely.
- Read risk assessment regularly.
Potential Risks
- People smoking
- Naked wires near curtains
- Disregarding electrical equipment checks
Before we got started with setting up equipment we made sure we had dedicated smoking areas outside, No smoking signs all around the building and made sure everyone knew where the smoking area was so there would be no reason to light a fire inside the venue. We also checked all the cables for damages and made sure they are not faulty so they wont cause a circuit break which could potentially lead to a fire. We made sure all the electric equipment had passed safety checked and were approved for safe use to avoid breakdowns and sparks.
“Check Your Fire Safety Responsibilities under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.” GOV.UK, www.gov.uk/government/publications/check-your-fire-safety-responsibilities-under-the-fire-safety-england-regulations-2022/check-your-fire-safety-responsibilities-under-the-fire-safety-england-regulations-2022.
Health and Safety Legislation:
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 is a law that requires you to reduce or eliminate noise levels that put people at risk at work. Although these regulations do not apply to those who are not at work but are still exposed to risks to their health and safety from noise, section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 may apply instead (Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks (pack of 5) 2012). You must provide hearing protection, for example, ear plugs for noise levels above 85 decibels (dBs), once this reaches 87dBs or higher, you have passed the exposure limit. To combat this you may add a noise limiter on top of the hearing protection you provide (Employers’ responsibilities – legal duties).
The Live Music Act 2012 is the amended version of the Licensing Act 2003 to apply to live music events that are between 8 AM – 11 PM, at licensed premises and, with an audience of 500 or less. The amendments were made, with public safety and the prevention of public nuisance and crime as well as other potential hazards or other negative impacts on the event and the 2003 Act’s objectives. It means that there is no need to hold a license for live ‘unamplified’ music between the hours mentioned above. (Woodhouse, 2019).
The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 covers both electrical and fire safety. If you are putting on an event, your venue will need to obtain a license from the local authority. (HSE, 2015)
Bibliography:
Employers’ responsibilities – legal duties (no date) Noise: Employers responsibilities – legal duties. Health and Safety Executive. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/employers.htm#:~:text=There%20are%20also%20levels%20of,pressure%20of%20140%20dB(C) (Accessed: May 4, 2023).
EXECUTIVE., G.R.E.A.T.B.R.I.T.A.I.N.H.E.A.L.T.H.A.N.D.S.A.F.E.T.Y. (2012) Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks (pack of 5). HSE Books.
Woodhouse, J. (2019). London. Available at: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06996/SN06996.pdf (Accessed: May 4, 2023).
HSE (2015). The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – HSR25. [online] www.hse.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm [Accessed 4 Jan. 2024].