MTRAE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

As if organising and promoting a full blown monster truck race series isn't complicated enough, then let's throw in the legal complications of health and safety.  The promoters of the race series are legally bound by a mass of legislation which has to be conformed to in order to keep or guests safe and well.

We all have a duty of care to others and the promoters of the monster truck racing series are no exception.  We have to ensure that everything is right before we can put our hand on our heart and open the gates to members of the public.  To make this happen we closely examine every possible hazard and risk at each venue, many of these are of course generic to the event, but others have to be dissected and scrutinised before the event can go ahead.

The event promoter has a legal responsibility to examine, eliminate or reduce all risks and hazards and in order for this risk management to happen successfully, sadly there has to be some fairly unpopular decisions made.  Despite this, our rationale is to keep the show running but safely for all.

The Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the key piece of legislation - the bible - which all of the safety support organisations work to.  Underneath this act are a large number of regulations, codes of practice, guides etc all of which have to be acknowledged and obeyed! This means that before an event can even get past the planning stage, several comprehensive documents have to be promulgated and submitted to local authorities for approval.

During the consultation process we visit around 42 different pieces of legislation and analyse each to ensure that every element of the event relating to safety of those at the venue has been addressed.  This of course takes a great amount of time and in some cases patience too!

The above process is locked into an almost impossible timescale for the promoter as the venue owners and the local authority demand the completed documents a number of months before the event date. The difficulty then sets in as the promoter hasn't always decided on new venues and needs to express an interest in them sometimes, before the previous season ends.

The event management team have a huge responsibility when staging an event of this nature and as you can imagine, there are a number of more unusual risks with the monsters when compared with other low key sports.  They are constantly reminded by the Event Health & Safety Co-ordinator of problems that are occurring on the site and often strive to find the best solution in the shortest time possible.  All of this takes place without causing any disruption to the public or different parts of the show.

The duties of the promoters never end, with the preparation through the winter months of all of the event documentation - Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Event Emergency Plans etc and into the event itself when the venue is constantly patrolled and problems rectified, accidents investigated, plans changed etc.

Below are just some of the bits that we must consider to ensure your safety at our events:-

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974). Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 Noise at Work Regulations 1989 Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) Electrical at Work Regulations 1989 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (amended 2002) Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (amended 2002) Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (amended 2002) Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 Disability Discrimination Act 2005. Working at Heights Regulations Environment Act 1995 The Event Safety Guide 1999 A Guide to Fire Precautions in Existing Places of Entertainment and Like Premises Health and Safety at Motor Sports Events. HSE Guidance Note HSG112 A Guide to the Working Time Regulations. HSE Guidance Note Temporary Demountable Structures: Guidance on Procurement, Design and Use Managing Crowds safely – HSG154 A Guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 A Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds Safe Use of Work Equipment First Aid at Work Successful Health and Safety Management Essentials of Health and Safety at Work Managing Crowds Safely A Practical Guide to Health and Safety in the Entertainment Industry. Marco van Beek Environmental Protection Act 1990 Ch 43 Duty of Care: A Code of Practice

Stay Safe!

Thanks to UK Event Safety for providing this information and an unbeatable service.

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