HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION

Responsibilities and Policy

The Organisers take their responsibilities as laid out in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act, etc 1974 (HASAWA74) very seriously and it is vital that Exhibitors and their Contractors do the same.  The Build-up, Open and Breakdown periods are covered by these and other mandatory requirements.

The Health and Safety at Work Act, etc, 1974 (HASAWA74)

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2001

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995

The Building Regulations 1991 (England and Scotland)

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Local Authority Regulations (as relevant)

As Organisers, it is our policy to manage the event with the above and make the environment safe so far as is reasonably practicable.  This section has been produced to provide Exhibitors with clear, simple suggestions for understanding and implementing a suitable and sufficient safety management programme to comply with Health and Safety Procedures.  To this effect we, the Organisers, have appointed a Health and Safety Officer for the event (see below) and both medical and security facilities are provided on site.

Some of the key risks areas are outlined overleaf, but it is vital that each Exhibitor:

1. i) Undertakes their own Risk Assessment (see section on Risk Assessment)
2. ii) Completes and returns the Health & Safety Declaration form at the rear of this manual by the due date.

Risk Assessment

All exhibitors must complete the form at the rear of this manual and return to the Organisers.  Each exhibitor must undertake a Risk Assessment prior to the Exhibition, identifying the hazards present on site and ways in which you will then minimise and control these hazards. 

All exhibitors must complete and return their mandatory Risk Assessment form.  On the reverse of the form are Guidance Notes to assist with completion.

Emergency Procedures

Should you discover a fire:

• Break the glass on the nearest fire alarm point,
• Inform a member of the Conference Staff or one of the Organisers.
• If there is any immediate danger to yourself or to others:

DO NOT attempt to put out the fire,

DO NOT remain in the vicinity.

In the event of a fire situation, a high-pitched warble will sound continuously. On hearing this sound, please evacuate using the nearest exit. If you are in the process of operating equipment such as power tools or mobile platform lifts, please first switch off/isolate and secure them.

Please leave the building and congregate at the fire assembly point (car park 1 at the front of the building). Please advise the fire coordinator that all your personnel are accounted for. The fire coordinator will inform you via a tannoy when it is safe to re-enter the building.

Failure to comply with the above safety requirements may result in the hotel or local authority refusing the event to proceed or closing the event.

Food Safety

All food and drink consumed within the hall must be provided by the venue’s caterers. Any exhibitor wishing to bring their own catering items on site will need to contact the venue’s catering team to discuss further. 

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

All Exhibitors and Contractors must be aware that they have a responsibility to ensure the Health & Safety of their employees, contractors and visitors to their stand, so far as is reasonably feasible.  All Exhibitors/Contractors are reminded of their responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act, especially in relation to working exhibits, product demonstrations and the preparation of exhibits and other materials whilst in the Exhibition Hall.

All Exhibitors/Contractors must complete and return the Health & Safety form at the rear of this manual.

Principal areas of note are:

• The understanding of Fire and Emergency Procedures of the venue and how to obtain first aid assistance.
• The need to maintain emergency gangways, as specified by the Organisers, through and to the centre of the Hall, especially during build-up and breakdown.
• The use of hard hats when working beneath or near overhead working or, if this is impractical, restricting access in such areas.
• The need for operatives to wear suitable protective clothing relevant to their job which includes eye, hearing, foot and hand protection.
• The safe use and storage of flammable liquids and substances and segregation from waste and other risk areas.
• Ensuring that portable power equipment is used for the purpose for which it was designed and that safety guards are correctly fitted and used.
• Ensuring that portable electric tools are used with the minimum length of trailing leads and that such equipment is not left unattended with a live power supply to it.
• That stacker trucks are not used by other than fully trained personnel.
• That disused fluorescent type lighting tubes are disposed of safely.
• That chemicals and flammable liquids are, after use, removed from the venue by the user or, in exceptional circumstances, brought to the attention of the venue’s Cleaning Department for safe and proper disposal. Such products must not be placed in general rubbish bins or skips.
• That any work area is maintained free from general waste materials which could be a hazard to operatives.
• That proper scaffolding is used during the construction of any building within the Hall, and that the safety features of the scaffolding are provided, as per laid down standards, and that any tower scaffold in use is properly stabilised and propped.