Mountain Rescue England and Wales Conference: Health and Safety Induction.

Mountain Rescue England and Wales

Conference 2024

Health and Safety Induction

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Section 1

Introduction and Overview

Welcome to site induction for Mountain Rescue England and Wales Conference, 2024.

It is the policy of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) to promote the highest possible levels of health and safety so as to lead to the avoidance or reduction of risks to the health and safety of all persons who, may be affected by their business activities and to ensure compliance with all current H&S legislation.

MREW makes specific commitments to its staff and contractors with regards working safely, personal safety, care of the environment and being mindful of safety when managing all work activities that will take place during the event.

MREW considers that these issues are the responsibility of the Company’s management team and rank equally with those of finance, marketing, human resources, and commercial issues

Once you have read and understood the health & safety information herein, please follow the link at the end of the presentation to confirm that you have understood and will comply with the safety requirements. A live list of persons completing the Site Safety Induction is held by the Event Safety Advisor.

This safety induction is provided by ESS Consultants, on behalf of the Principal Contractor and details the key safety information relevant to working on site, including site rules, emergency contact information and required PPE some of which is Mandatory.

Contractor risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) must be submitted in advance of the work activity and be specific for the work taking place.

You MUST complete and sign this Site Safety Induction before you are permitted to work on this event.

Key Contacts

During the construction phase, all contractors are responsible for the safety management of their workers. In addition, the site activity will also be monitored by the Event Safety Advisor and the Production Manager.

Project Manager (MREW)

Judy Whiteside

Mobile 0836 509 812

Production Manager (APEX)

Laura Da Meda

Mobile 07539 274 796

Event Safety Advisor

Ben Harding

Mobile 07956 757 226

Event Schedule

Detailed below is the provisional schedule overview, please refer to the Production Schedule for more detail:

Friday 6th September

09:00 - APEX access only
14:00 - Exhibitor access
17:00 - Venue closed

Sunday 8th September
11:05 - De-rig
17:00 - Venue clear

The event is being staged at:

The Great Hall
Lancaster University
LA1 4YW

Click on the map for a bigger view / directions using your phone navigation

Click on the map for a bigger view / directions using your phone navigation

Click on the image to download or access larger image

Click on the image to download or access larger image

Section 2

Vehicles, MEWPS, Plant and FLTs

If you intend to operate plant, forklift trucks or vehicles you must ensure you are adhering to the safe working practices below:

All plant maintenance inspection certificates are to be send in advance, or available for inspection on the day if its not possible to issue in advance.

If you are operating plant, you must hold the relevant licence and have shared this with the event management prior to arriving on site. You MUST also have a copy of the licence with you.

All MEWPS entering the immediate working area MUST have a banksman supervising all movements.

The onsite speed limit is 5mph

Any workers using MEWPS, or work that requires the use of a harness, must provide task specific RAMS, together with a detailed Rescue Plan.

The correct harness MUST be worn for the MEWP operated and be inspected in compliance with LOLER 98.

All workers accessing the site must keep to the designated pedestrian and vehicular routes around the site.

Plant MUST be maneuvered/ escorted by a banksman.

Section 3

Personal Safety

All workers and contractors MUST obtain, read and comply with the control measures detailed in their own company risk assessments and method statements.

All workers and contractors as a minimum MUST wear high visibility vests / clothing during the construction and de-rig phase of the event. You should have your high- visibility vest available for use immediately and not packed onto the back of your truck. Vehicle and traffic movements will be occurring during these times.

Black vests are not permitted.

Whilst operating on site safety footwear must be worn at all times.

Hard hats must be worn whenever overhead work is being conducted, or as directed by the Event Safety Advisor or your own Company Risk Assessment.

Mandatory PPE

Specific task-related Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn as outlined in your Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS).

It is important that you only conduct the work activity that you have been contracted to perform on site.

Smoking will not be permitted in any place on site, except designated areas.

Access-ways, means of escape, stairways and fire exits shall be kept free from obstruction at all times.

The access and egress routes shall be kept clean and free from spills, waste, and other matter at all times.

All site prohibition signs and other warning signs shall be complied with at all times.

The site shall be kept clean at all times, with levels of noise controlled within the limits specified by the venue.

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all workers are fully aware of their role in the job as outlined in their Company RAMS.

No radios or music playing devices allowed on site.

No shouting or swearing in any language allowed whilst on site.

The use of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited on site.

Using Mobile Phones

Use of mobile phones is prohibited when:

Working at Height

Driving

Operating Plant

Using work equipment or machinery

Do not walk around the site whilst using a mobile phone. If you need to receive or make a phone call sit down!

Section 4

Working at Height

Work MUST be planned to avoid work at height where possible, use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where you cannot avoid working at height and ensure that measures are in place to prevent falling objects.

All work at height must be planned and included within your Company RAMS.

Ladders

Ladders must be suitable for the activity being undertaken and should only be used for short duration tasks.

Ladders must be placed on a firm stable surface and must be footed. Ladders should extend to the correct height for the work being undertaken.

You must NOT work on the top two rungs of any ladder.

NEVER use flight cases as access equipment.

Access Towers

If using an access towers these must be built correctly by competent individuals with correct level of training (i.e., PASMA) and must include handrails, toe boards and outriggers. Handrails must be the correct height.

Harnesses (fall arrest / restraint)

The Event Safety Advisor MUST be informed if you wish to use any form of harness prior to your work commencing.

Harnesses MUST be worn and secured (clipped on) when working on live edges.

Any live or leading edges must have adequate protection from falls.

Section 5

General Safety

Gangways, means of escape and fire exits MUST be kept free from obstruction at all times.

Good housekeeping is to be practiced at ALL times, ensuring all work areas are kept clean and tidy. Your work area must be tidied up at the end of day with all tools and equipment stored away safe and securely.

Please ensure all waste / rubbish is disposed of promptly.

Watch where you are going and look out for and avoid anything that may cause you to slip, trip, fall – don’t walk with your hands in your pockets or where your vision is obstructed and NEVER walk backwards.

Bring to the attention of the Event Safety Advisor any issues involving Health & Safety; report all accidents, incidents and near misses.

DO NOT come to work if under the influence of alcohol or drugs, no drinking alcohol is permitted or use of any drug unless under medical advice and with the knowledge of event management, during the working day.

Smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes are not permitted anywhere except designated places.

Open toe shoes are strictly FORBIDDEN during the build and de-rig.

There are suitable and sufficient toilets on site, PLEASE keep them clean.

Hand sanitisers are available throughout the site. You MUST maintain good personal hygiene whilst on site.

MREW have provided unlimited drinking water on site.

Mental Health

The events and production industry is one that can include
long working hours, days, or weeks, often with times away from home, and can be a challenging and fast paced environment.

It is important as an industry, and as individuals that we manage
and address mental health for our own sake, and also for that of our colleagues.

Having good mental is important, and having poor mental health
should not discriminate an individual.

The past couple of years have been a challenge not only for our
industry, but also our mental health.

We have compiled a number of agencies and companies that are
available to help you, or your colleagues, especially if you are worried about someone.

Click on the button at the end of this section to access these links and agency contacts.

Your health and safety consultant or mental health first aider on site are available to help, and can talk in strict confidence, away from the event floor.

Ian or ‘Parky’ has kindly spoken out about his mental health, and how you can help yourself and others.

Ian also discusses some of the changes to look out for in yourself, or in your colleagues.

To watch Ian's short video, watch the video below or, click the button that follows this section and access his interview as well as links to support agencies on a separate tab in your browser, which now includes Menopause support.

Section 6

First Aid

During the build and derig, the location of the First Aid kit will be located with the event safety advisor and with the venue first aiders (venue security).

Section 7

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to evacuate the entire site or individual areas of the site. The process of emergency evacuation carries its own risks and will therefore only be undertaken when absolutely necessary.

Action in the Event of Fire

Please raise the alarm if you discover a fire anywhere in the venue, using a fire call point (previously referred to as a break glass). Raise the alarm BEFORE you attempt to fight any fire.

You should only attempt to fight a fire if you have been trained how to use a fire extinguisher.
Please leave via your closest fire exit and follow all instruction by venue staff.
Venue staff will direct you to your fire assembly point - there are two assembly points for the venue as shown below.

Assembly Points

The venue has two designated assembly points

The closest assembly point is in front of the Great Hall, where the main exhibition is, by the water feature.

The second assembly point is on Lancaster Square, just outside of the Roundhouse.

If you hear the fire alarm operate at any point whilst on site, you should make your way to the assembly point closest to you.

There is not a fire drill planned during the build, derig, or live event.

Please inform the fire marshalls from the venue, if you know a colleague is missing.

Section 8

Security

Please recognise that we are all experts in our workplace, and we are ideally placed to spot when something is amiss.

In this period of heightened alert, it is vital to remain vigilant, trust our instincts and report any suspicious behaviour to the Production Manager or the Event Management Team immediately.

Thevenue has a 24 hr security presence.