New guidance explaining how regulations which manage the health and safety of construction projects apply to the entertainment industry has been published. The online resource, created by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), aims to clarify what those working in the events sector need to do to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015).
The guidance was drawn up in consultation with the industry and illustrates how roles and duties under CDM 2015 can be applied across four main areas in the sector: live events such as music festivals and sporting occasions; exhibitions, trade fairs and conferences; theatre and performing arts; and TV, film and broadcasting.
It is hoped the new guidance will “dispel any myths” surrounding how the regulations should be applied in the events sector, said Carl Hagemann, Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) Sports Grounds and Events Group.
“There has been a demand from within the entertainments industry for this guidance,” explained Hagemann. “It clears up how CDM 2015 applies to common events’ construction tasks, such as erecting temporary structures. We hope this helps to ensure the continued safety of events and their construction, and that it also enables the regulations to be applied in a way that allows the events industry to prosper.”
The new guidance on the application of CDM 2015 in the entertainment industry can be viewed at www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/cdm-2015/index.htm. The online resource includes case studies of construction projects in the events industry which successfully complied with CDM 2015. The HSE recommends that it be read in conjunction with another of its publications, L153: Managing health and safety in construction. CDM 2015 can also be viewed in full at www.citb.co.uk/cdmregs.
