Health and Safety Concerns for Leisure and Entertainment Premises

People will have been shocked by recent tragic events at a Northampton Nightclub, when one customer died and others were injured in the crush. The events have highlighted the importance for all premises to carry out regular reviews and updates of their Health and Safety Policies.

The need has also been highlighted by the public attention focused recently in parliament and the press on the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death in a major disaster at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium.

All premises catering for public events should take this as a reminder of the importance not just of having a Risk Assessment but of monitoring it and updating it to take account of particular circumstances.

Details will vary from premises to premises but here are some pointers to some of the areas that need to be considered.

Equipment

• Have you installed or altered any of your equipment since the last assessment was carried out? If so, do the changes impact on your Risk Assessment?

• Is your equipment properly maintained and working correctly? Have all necessary safety checks been completed as they fall due?

• Have you tested your PA systems to ensure that they are working correctly and effectively?

 Premises

• Are stairways, corridors and fire exits clear and accessible?

• Are they correctly signposted?

• Have any structural changes been carried out which might affect the Risk Assessment?

• Is there proper access for emergency vehicles attending at the premises?

Staff

• What staffing changes have there been since the last assessment?

• Are you up-to-date with training?

• Are all staff familiar with their responsibilities and with the emergency procedures that may apply?

• Have you carried out proper training for safety stewards and others?

• Are doorstaff fully trained in admission procedures?

• Do they know and can they comply with maximum occupancy levels at the premises?

Special Plans

• Does your Risk Assessment apply to major one-off events?

• If not, have you considered what arrangements need to be made?

• Have you spoken to the police and other emergency services about any special measures that might be needed?

Licences

• Have you checked your Premises Licence to ensure that all staff understand and can comply with its provisions?

The licensing team at Kitsons will be happy to advise. Call us on 01803 202020