UK Purple Guide Revision Draft Open for Comment

The UK's guide to event operations and safety, also known as HSG195, has been under revision for the past half year, and the committee's work is now available for public input.  The open comment period will last until the end of October 2013, after which all comments received will be reviewed for integration.

Covering both legislation and good practice, this new guide has been designed to alert and inform both event organizers and suppliers to the practices and issues that need to be considered when events are being organized. The contents are not designed to be prescriptive, and those using this guide should undertake risk assessments and evaluations that are appropriate to evaluate the specific requirements of the unique events they are planning.

The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events (Draft) can be found here:

www.thepurpleguide.co.uk

Going Down? Self-Rescue Beats Hanging Around

The US OSHA and UK HSE Fall Protection standards include a requirement that a rescue plan be in-place before climbing operations begin.  Calling 911 is not a rescue plan.  When a worker is hanging in a fall protection harness they can be subject to suspension trauma, so getting them down to terra-firma (the more firmer, the less terror) is the first priority.

Suspension trauma is the shut-down of the circulatory system due to the constrictions placed on the body by the fall protection harness.  There are kits that you can supplement on your climbing gear that will deploy a short set of bootstraps that tie back to the suspension D-Ring and will allow you to 'stand-up' and take some of the pressure off of your leg and waist fittings, but this is only a temporary solution to the problem.

The OSHA / HSE rescue requirements allow for self-rescue.  This can be a real time saver, as getting to a rescue kit, taking it up to an attachment point above the fallen worker, and reaching or rappelling down to attach the kit, then lowering the fall victim to the ground can be very time-consuming.  Here are three self-rescue solutions that are worthy of consideration:

--------------------------

The DUES 3700 is a small hands-free speed controlled descender that can be pre-attached to your climbing gear and deployed as-needed, or it can be pre-deployed and ready to go.  It can be used with up to 500 feet of rope.

The 3700 features quadruple-redundant braking, automatic speed-limiting technology, hands-free descent, and a speed control dial to control descent with just two fingers. Plus, the ropes can be replaced so it’s cost-effective and versatile.  The unit can be reused repeatedly.  More info at:  www.deusrescue.com/products/devices/deus3700.aspx

--------------------------

The Latchways PRD (Personal Rescue Device) is a backpack module that is fully-integrated with the climbing harness and preconnected to the fall arrest lanyard.  If you fall, you just reach up to your shoulder and pull a release cord that unlocks the descender and it lowers you to the ground.  Current models have a 65 foot rescue rope, and longer options are forthcoming. One drawback to this system is that you must send the unit to a Latchways service center to have it reset for the next use.  More info at:  www.latchways.com/personal-rescue-device-US

--------------------------

The Petzel EXO personal escape system is a manually operated self-braking descender packaged with rope, carbiners and a easy carry pouch.  Originally designed for the NYFD, this is a lightweight and reliable solution.  The unit can be reused repeatedly.  More info at:  www.petzl.com/en/pro/verticality/descenders/exo-individual-evacuation-system-0/exo-eashook

--------------------------

Climb Safe:

Plan the Climb.  Plan the Rescue.
Climb the plan.

Event Safety Alliance - Applying the HSE Purple Guide for US

The Event Safety Alliance has updated their web site to allow interested parties to help in the modification of the UK's "Purple Book" (http://theatresafetyblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/event-safety-guides-freebies.html) as it can be used uniformly throughout the US market.  The timetable is aggressive, as it should be, as the sooner this Best Practices manual is available for use, the safer events will be when the guidelines are applied.

The US version of the Purple Book will layout, for the first time in the history of the industry in the US, a broad spectrum of guidelines helping to ensure that life safety be considered first and foremost.

Do Your Part and Get Involved!

Yeah, they have an app for that, too.

The iAuditor application for the iPad provides a convenient way to deploy checklists to all of your department heads and workers.  This customizable tool allows you to set-up check-lists, take photos, sign the document, and e-mail it so you have a clear record of inspections.

This app replaces paper-based reporting and allows the user to enhance reports with photographs showing compliance issues.  It also greatly reduces the likelihood of late submissions and falsified time-stamping.

With a smart interface to build forms, iAuditor allows for forms to be created on-the-fly from within the app, a form can be created and modified to suit departmental needs throughout the theatre plant.  By giving users the power to create their own audits, iAuditor can be applied to thousands of situations. This level of customization in auditing has never been seen before in the safety industry.


The iAuditor app has full GPS integration, too, so it can identify reports applicable to specific venues for large areas like theme parks, or be used on tour venue-to-venue.

An unlimited number of forms and checklists can be created using the form building screen, and templates can be shared between users. Ready-to-use audit forms are also available for free download from the SafetyCulture Secure Online Cloud.

Upon completion of an audit or checklist, the form can be quickly e-mailed as a PDF, which is compatible with almost any computer, smartphone, or tablet with a PDF reader application.

An audit checklist can be used by workers to ensure they are meeting their reporting and record-keeping requirements. Uses include:

• Life Safety Code Inspections
• Occupational Heath and Safety Codes
• Governmental Reporting Requirements
• Fire Prevention Checklists
• Building Safety Checklists
• Electrical Safety Checklists
• Ladder Safety Checklists
• Pre-Show, Intermission, and Post-Show Checklists for both FOH and Backstage
• Shop, Storage, and Loading Dock Safety Audits
• Vehicle Inspections
• Emergency Lighting & Exit Sign Inspections
• Fire Extinguisher Inspections
• Fire Door Inspections

“Businesses all over the world are using technology to work smarter, not harder. We’ve listened to the people who are out in the field every day, and we’re committed to helping them work safer by using technology. With iAuditor, we’ve shown another example of this commitment; an incredibly versatile auditing and checklist app that is free to use and free to download.” Said Luke Anear, Managing Director of SafetyCulture Australia (www.safetyculture.com.au).

More information about the iAuditor app can be found at: www.safetyculture.com.au/iauditor/

UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Solicits Input

The Event Safety Guide (HSG195) is to be updated for a third edition and the HSE committee is seeking commentary about the changes that should go into the next edition.  Formally known as ‘The event safety guide, A guide to health, safety and welfare at music and similar events'.  The revised guide focuses on risk assessment and management. It is aimed primarily at organizers of music shows and similar events, although the principles set out in the guide may be applicable to other events.

Unfortunately, there is no similar guide in many parts of the world, so this can only be used a a reference for best practices outside of the UK.  This is a well thought-out guide and the information should be referred to by event organizers world-wide, regardless of it's legal enforceability.  Remember:  We are trying to save lives and produce safe events, so seeking-out well researched resources like this should help tremendously in running shows with injury prevention as a goal, not an afterthought.

The current drafts of the documents are available on-line for free, and the associated comment forms are also provided.  Go to: www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk/event_safety_guide/

Deadline:  Please submit comments by Friday, November 11, 2011.

HSE will consider all comments. However, due to the large number of interested parties, it will not be possible for HSE to reply to every comment.

In light of the numerous event disasters over the last few years, it is important that you do your part to help develop standards that we can all work and live with.  Don't sit on the sidelines - participate!

 If you aren't a part of the solution, you are part of the problem!

Another good reason to visit the Event Industry Forum website is to sign-up to be a member of  relevant organizations that participate in this standards development process.

If nothing else, just read the material and be aware of it!

Event Safety Guides - Freebies

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes The Event Safety Guide.  First authored in 1993, it has been updated and reformatted for easier reading in the Second Edition.  Also Known as "The Purple Guide".  Available here:
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg195.pdf

Overview

Revised to align with recent law changes and event industry best practice. Provides 'tried and tested' advice on which to organize health and safety at music events, although many chapters may also apply to other gatherings sharing similar characteristics. Intended to enable organizers, local authorities, emergency services and HSE to work together to improve safety. As such, this guidance was devised in consultation with an event industry working group. In addition to broader safety headlines, such as venue and site design, fire procedures and major incident planning, the guidance also scopes pertinent circumstantial issues. Accordingly, specifics like transport, barriers, electrics, refreshments, merchandising, amusements, attractions, sanitation, noise, vibration and many other relevant subjects are also considered.

This supersedes the 'Guide to health, safety and welfare at pop concerts and similar events.'

---------------------

Safe Use and Operation of Temporary Demountable Fabric Structures is a guide book put together by MUTA and is available here:

www.performancetextiles.org.uk/Literature/mutamarq.pdf

---------------------

HSE Managing Crowds Safely (web page): www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg142.htm

Event Safety Solutions Blog:  http://eventsafetysolutions.wordpress.com/

The Special Event Guru Blog:  http://specialeventguru.blogspot.com

IAVM Trained Crowd Manager Course (NOT Free, but worth every penny!):

www.iaamtraining.com

Hear, Hear!

The illusion that we're indestructible is sometimes hard to overcome, so we occasionally do risky things.  The way we treat our hearing is just one of those areas of transgression against our mortality.  The younger we are, the louder we like our music, and the less likely we are to use hearing protection when working or playing.  NEWSFLASH:  Hearing damage can happen at any time, any age, and in just about any setting.  It's not just a malady suffered by gray-haired old folks.

Enter H.E.A.R., a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes hearing conservation, aural education, for the general welfare of everyone with an ear or ears.  The H.E.A.R. web site at http://www.hearnet.com/ is a great resource for learning about hearing protection, protection products, and what you can do to keep yourself with a working set of ears into your old-age.

The H.E.A.R. web site has a great tools for teachers and healthcare professionals.  There are informational posters, handouts, Public Service Announcements (PSA's), product resources for hearing protection devices, Training DVD's, curriculum guides and coursework for teachers, articles, whitepapers, artist bios, and event listings.

Damage to your ears is gradual, cumulative, and most of all, permanent.  So, do yourself a favor and learn more about what you can do to keep tinnitus at bay, and your hearing in good shape.

Noise that is impulsive in nature like hammering, stapling, the clatter of scaffolding parts, or the clang of dropped tools can be every bit as damaging as sounds that are continuous like saws, music, grinding, or the droan of a truck or bus engine.  Learn when to use hearing protection, and what devices can help the most and the least.

Oh yeah, you can make donations to support their awsome work, too.  Don't be a cheapskate - chunk 'em some change.

Stagehand Killed By Fall at Rochester Castle Outdoor Concert

July 15, 2010 - Rochester Castle Event Grounds, Medway, Kent, UK.  A man in his 40's fell from the stage and died later at the hospital from the injuries sustained to his head and neck.  The incident occurred about 5:30 PM as the open air concert stage was being prepared.  The Emergency Medical Team received the call at 5:41, and was there within 6 minutes.  They reported that "the patient was bleeding and going into cardiac arrest and was conveyed to the Medway Maritime Hospital."

Police cordoned-off the area around the incident to allow further investigation, and the show featuring Will Young was delayed about 90 minutes.

2002 Pop Idol winner Will Young reportedly said at the end of the show: "Someone's had an accident tonight so let's give him a round of applause and hope he gets better."  He did not know that the man had died and later said he was "shocked and saddened" upon learning of the man's fate.  "I was unaware of the seriousness of the incident until after I left the stage.  My deepest sympathy goes out to the bereaved family."

The cause of the fall and the reason why guard rails did not prevent the injuries are under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive board (HSE) (www.hse.gov.uk).