MERCIAN GATHERING

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

 

Health & Safety Policy Statement

As the Organisers of the Mercian Gathering the organising committee have overall responsibility for the health and safety of all volunteers and attendees and will endeavour to ensure that we take a positive attitude to the health, safety and welfare of volunteers and attendees, providing such information, training and supervision as they need for this purpose. We will therefore endeavour to take all reasonable steps to ensure the objectives of this Policy are met and that necessary resources are allocated to accomplish our goals.

 

The objectives of this Policy are to: ­

           

  1. Create proactive safety management systems to minimise risks to the volunteers.
  2. Provide and maintain a healthy and safe environment, systems of work and equipment that are as safe as reasonably practicable.
  3. Safeguard the health and safety of the public who could be affected by the activities of the event.
  4. Ensure that all volunteers receive adequate training in safe working methods, accident prevention & emergency procedures, applicable to the job they do.
  5. Encourage active employee participation in H&S matters and maintain a high standard of awareness.
  6. Provide a mechanism to monitor the application of this policy.
  7. Strive to continuously improve safety performance.

 

Achievement of the Policy

The Policy is to be implemented through the organisational chain using the procedures detailed in the Policy. It is a responsibility of all organisers and supervisors to take all reasonable steps to ensure safe conditions of work within their areas of responsibility. All persons are expected to co­operate to achieve these objectives.

 

The committee will arrange for funds and facilities to meet the requirements of the Policy and ensure the Policy is revised before each Gathering.

 

All volunteers will receive a copy of the Health and Safety Policy with the tickets and information pack.

 

EVENT SAFETY CO­ORDINATOR – Neil Champ

The Event Safety Co­ordinator is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the safety policy on site and for providing advice and guidance on health and safety issues.

 

Primary Duties

  1. Monitor and review the implementation of the policy at the Gathering.
  2. Provide advice and guidance on safe working practices, to ensure safety procedures are followed and understood.
  3. Investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences, advising on the steps necessary to avoid recurrence.
  4. The Event Safety Co­ordinator has the power to immediately stop any operation or practices, which he considers a clear and imminent danger. The relevant Area Organiser should be immediately alerted of any such issues.
  5. Will liaise with the emergency services if they should be called to ensure full co-operation.

 

SITE MANAGER – Karl Asbury

Co­ordinate activities on site to ensure risks are minimised.

 

Primary Duties

  1. Understand the Policy and the responsibilities allocated to each team.
  2. Ensure that sites are organised so that work is carried out with the minimum risk after proper assessment of all factors.
  3. Ensure, so far as reasonably practical, that all volunteers have the necessary competence and experience to complete work safely.
  4. Liaise with Area Organisers to avoid confusion about areas of responsibility.
  5. Arrange delivery, stocking and storage of materials on site in an effective manner to minimise risks.
  6. Ensure volunteers have the appropriate qualifications to perform any specialised work they are involved in. 
  7. The site manager and Event Safety Co­ordinator will carry out periodic inspections of work equipment.
  8. Incorporate safety instructions in routine orders and ensure they are obeyed.
  9. Ensure that roadways through the camp are wide enough to permit emergency vehicles.

 

AREA ORGANISERS

Area Organisers are accountable for health and safety standards within their own area.

 

Information Tent – Sue Lane

  1. Understand the Policy and the responsibilities allocated to each area.
  2. Organise sites so that work is carried out to the required standard with minimum risk to volunteers and the general public.
  3. Ensure that the Policy is observed on site and that all registers and records are completed.
  4. Give advice on the location of Fire, Medical and Welfare, Toilet and Washing facilities.
  5. Use the radio provided to co-ordinate with the gate, site manager and first aid crews.
  6. Telephone numbers for all services and key personnel are to be kept in the Information Tent

 

Fire Marshalls – Neil Champ

  1. Understand the Policy and the responsibilities allocated to each area.
  2. Organise sites so that work is carried out to the required standard with minimum risk to volunteers and the general public.
  3. Ensure fire stewards have received relevant training and certification.
  4. Use the radios provided to co-ordinate with the gate, site manager and first aid crews.
  5. Staff should be informed where extinguishers and other safety related equipment is positioned.
  6. A fire risk assessment will be carried out by the Fire Safety Team before the Gathering to identify the level of provision required.
  7. The onsite Fire Safety Team will inspect all provisions.
  8. Fire risks should be kept as low as reasonably practicable by minimising the quantities of flammable materials stored on site. Fuels, flammable liquids and gas cylinders should be kept to a minimum, stored in a secure area and adequately signed to warn of the hazard.
  9. Provide and sign fire points with water buckets and extinguishers
  10. In the event of a small fire, take action to extinguish it with the relevant equipment, calling members of the site crew if necessary.
  11. In the event of a larger fire, call security to evacuate members of the public from the area.
  12. If necessary call the emergency services and alert the gate, security and site crews to clear the way for emergency vehicles.
  13. Be aware of how to stop machines and processes and isolate power supplies where appropriate.

 

Site Crew - Chalky White

  1. Understand the Policy and the responsibilities allocated to each area.
  2. Organise sites so that work is carried out to the required standard with minimum risk to volunteers and the general public.
  3. Liaise with the Site Manager to maintain adequate Health and Safety Standards.
  4. Use the radios provided to co-ordinate with the gate, site manager and first aid crews.
  5. Transport urgently required safety items on site as required.
  6. Marquees can only be erected by volunteers authorised by the site manager. All other persons should be kept clear until work is completed. The site manager must inspect and sign off on all constructions.
  7. No one will be allowed to work unless equipped with all essential protective clothing for the particular operation. These include fluorescents vests and hard hats where appropriate.
  8. Suitable step ladders should be used when necessary, and single ladders should never be leant against marquee poles.

 

Marshalls and Stewards – Diana Dunsby

  1. Responsible for monitoring potential hazards on the Gathering site
  2. Responsible for providing escorts and other safety services required.
  3. Give advice on the location of Fire, Medical and Welfare, Toilet and Washing facilities.
  4. Use the radios provided to co-ordinate with the gate, site manager and first aid crews.
  5. Staffing of fixed vehicle control points. 
  6. Monitoring and management of campfires which are not permitted (though barbecues and fireboxes are). Where appropriate, take corrective action via security. 
  7. Stewards should not leave their place of work without permission;
  8. They should not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and should remain calm and be courteous towards attendees.  
  9. They should know the layout of the site and be able to assist attendees by giving information about the available facilities
  10. Be aware of the location of fire-points, entrances and exits.
  11. Call first aiders when necessary using the radios provided.
  12. Keep gangways and exits clear at all times.
  13. Investigate unruly behaviour and call security.

 

FIRST AID – Sharon Jeffries

  1. Prior to the Gathering all volunteers and the gate should be informed of the position of first­aid kits. First aid kits will be placed in all major areas.
  2. The on duty first aiders will carry radios and patrol the site.
  3. An appropriate number of first aiders will be on duty at all times during the course of the event.
  4. All first aiders will be properly qualified.
  5. All staff will be told who the first­aider(s) is for their area. Each area will have an appropriate first­aid kit, and its location should be known to everyone immediately before, during and after the Gathering.
  6. All staff are to ensure that they familiar with the procedures for first aid and requesting medical assistance.
  7. Accidents and incidents should be logged in the accident book in the Information Tent.

 

QUAD BIKE & TRAILER TRANSPORTATION – Tim Jones

  1. Only drivers aged 21 or over with a full, clean motorcycle licence or relevant quad training will be permitted to drive the vehicle.
  2. Drivers are not permitted to drink alcohol or be under the influence of drugs.
  3. No one should ever ride on a trailer in a position where they can lose balance and fall, especially in front of an axle or wheel.
  4. All materials and articles should be transported safely, with regard to workers and the public; special care should be taken during loading and unloading.
  5. Children should not be permitted ride on trailer units.
  6. There is a site speed limit of 5 mph.
  7. All articles and materials should be transported safely.
  8. Supervisors are to ensure that all loads are secured
  9. Movement while the public are onsite will be kept to an absolute minimum
  10. All manual handling should be carried out with due regard for safety.

 

CAFÉ – Tina Warren

  1. All food preparation areas should comply with legislative requirements and best practice.
  2. Volunteers should have Food Safety and Hygiene certification.
  3. Volunteers should attend preparation and safety training on Friday morning before the Gathering starts. Those who have not attended should be removed from the rota.
  4. The public should be effectively warned and excluded from hazardous areas.

 

 

WASTE DISPOSAL – Tina Warren

  1. Procedures for waste disposal and recycling are to be disseminated to all relevant personnel.
  2. Inspections should be made to ensure procedures are being adhered to.
  3. Campers are advised to take their personal waste home for disposal. Black bin bags are provided in the Information Tent.
  4. Café waste is to be disposed of via a skip at the end of the Gathering.

 

GENERATOR AND WORK EQUIPMENT – Neil Champ

  1. All work equipment should comply with all the relevant legislation and machinery regulations whether owned or hired they should be properly serviced and maintained.  Machinery should be suitable for the work and guards and hazard signing be in place as required.
  2. No guards or controls should be removed or tampered with.
  3. Machinery should be immobilised and placed in a secure area when not in use.
  4. Any breakage, faults or defects in any work equipment should be reported immediately to the Site Manager.
  5. Defective machinery likely to cause a safety hazard should be immediately removed from use and isolated until repaired or replaced,
  6. Only experienced and competent operators will be allowed to use machinery.
  7. Only small amounts of fuel for portable machines should be stored.
  8. Fuel should be kept in sound metal containers with secure caps, marked with Inflammable

 

ELECTRICAL SAFETY – Neil Champ

  1. All electrical installations and equipment will meet the requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and conform with BS 7909 regulations
  2. Power equipment, cabling and plugs are the responsibility of the area electrician, no employees may interfere, or attempt repair of electrical equipment.
  3. Any cabling will be identified and no work is permitted near there without permission of the Area Electrician.
  4. Regular checks should be made on plugs, cable wear, and the safe layout of cables.
  5. If a fault is suspected in any circuit or apparatus e.g. because of a repeated blowing fuse, the nominated electrician should be called and the appliance taken out of use.
  6. Plugs should not be overloaded.

 

GAS SAFETY – Karl Asbury

No­one is allowed to bring gas cylinders onsite without the permission of the Site Manager. Ensure that volunteers are aware and follow our strict rules on LPG safety.

 

WEATHER

Care should be taken of exposure to strong sunlight. Covering the skin is the best protection for burning. Hats and protection to the back of the neck may be required, however positioning work sites, and creating shade are also important. Wet weather brings increased risk and extra care should be taken with every operation. If exposed to the elements suitable wet weather clothing should be worn. Ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.

 

SANITATION AND HYGIENE

Toilet and washing facilities are located in all areas of the site ­ become familiar with them. Washing hands before eating, drinking and smoking is essential and removes risk of contamination and illness.

 

GATHERING GOERS

Attention should be given to warning them of hazards, and being prepared for unexpected responses from those who may be disorientated or unaware through alcohol or drugs. We have a strict no drugs policy, and ask people not to bring large amounts of alcohol on site. Security should be called to deal with violations.

Smoking is only allowed in the open air, and not inside any marquees.