Health and safety management is the establishment of policies and procedures which ensure the health and well-being of everyone involved in the planning of a project or the attendees of an event.
The policies and procedures revolve around work and life safety and the control of large numbers of crowd management.
We will look at the five major topics related to health and safety management below:
Fire and Life Safety
Ensure effective fire safety measures are implemented and meet fire code standards for the state the event is being held and confirms with life safety rules. Obtain accurate mapping of the grounds or venue for safety approval by the fire authority. Ensure all stakeholders comply with the fire and life safety rules before the event starts.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) also known as Work Health and Safety
Rules and requirements stated in relation to occupational health and safety must be followed. Understand the risks or consequences involved based on the type of work needed for the event. Provide workers with protective gears, the right equipment and necessary training before handling machines. Keep them frequently updated on the safety and legal requirements to ensure they are not exposed to danger.
Public Health and Welfare
The event must have an appropriate sewerage system and a clean supply of drinking water. Ensure everyone follows healthy practices and cleanliness is observed. Wash rooms, drinking fountains and other facilities need to be sufficient for public use. Accommodate people with special needs, such as the disabled, or pregnant women.
Crowd Control
Problems that arise due to large numbers of people in an event can be prevented by controlling and regulating admittance of people in the venue. For example, if you set a limit for the number of attendees, this ensures you can comfortably accommodate their needs. Provide sufficient surveillance equipment and personnel to monitor crowds, respond to emergencies and inappropriate conduct by the attendees.
The Culture of Safety
The rules, regulations and policies you set should encourage all the stakeholders of the event to behave and conduct themselves in a safe manner. Hold brief meetings with the relevant personnel during the event to ensure that everything is being run in a safe and friendly manner. Develop easy but efficient procedures to report to the appropriate personnel any conduct that threatens the safety of those in attendance. Make the necessary safety announcements and provide information using appropriate channels to avoid unnecessary tension during the event.
In any event or project, it is possible for an accident that exposes an individual or everyone in attendance to danger to happen. Prioritising health and safety for everyone is not only a social responsibility, but imperative for any event to be successful.
