Health & Safety Principle Areas

Following are some of the principal areas, which need to be brought to your attention. If you have any queries, please contact: HSE National Information line on 08701 545 500. 

General Regulations  

•    The exhibitor responsible for the stand should ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of employees whilst they are at work has been carried out. It should also cover persons not in his employment, arising out of, or in connection with the part the exhibiting company is to play within the exhibition (i.e. during the exhibition build-up, open days & breakdown). Such an assessment should be recorded and reviewed as necessary.

•    A person must be appointed who is responsible for health and safety matters on the stand. Their contact details should be detailed in your risk assessment

•    Operatives should wear suitable protective clothing relevant to their job which includes eye, hearing, foot and hand protection.

•    During the build-up and breakdown periods your staff and sub-contractors should be constantly reminded by you of the need for vigilance regarding the health and safety of themselves and those working in their vicinity.

•    You must ensure that portable power equipment is used for the purpose for which it was designed and that the safety guards and dust collection bags are correctly fitted and used.

•    It is your responsibility to ensure that all equipment is PAT tested, and pre-wired units comply with venue regulations before they are installed on site.

•    You must ensure that portable electric tools are used with a minimum length of trailing leads and that such equipment is not left unattended with a live power supply to it.

•    No electrical cables must be allowed to cross gangways, passageways and fire exits. 
Any work area must be maintained free from general waste materials that could present a hazard to operatives.

•    Any equipment being demonstrated (i.e.: operated as part of an exhibit) on the stand must be inherently safe and not create a hazard to staff or visitors at any time. Moving parts of machinery and other working equipment must be efficiently guarded to the UK Health & Safety standards, which is normal for its operation in an industrial setting. 
 
Personal Protective Equipment  

Appropriate PPE must be worn by all exhibitors and contractors during build up and breakdown, HIGH VIS & SUITABLE FOOTWEAR (HARD SOLES, NO OPEN TOES).

These are not provided on site so please bring your own as access to the halls will not be granted to those not wearing suitable PPE. 

Heavy Lifting

If you have large items being delivered, please ensure that you can move them, either by contacting DSV to book a forklift to unload and/or deliver the item to your stand, or by providing your own trolley to move items to your own stand. You may not bring your own forklift.

Please ensure that any of your staff that will be moving items have been trained in manual handling procedures.  If an item is too heavy do not lift it, ask for help. 

Site rules and induction 
CDM places duties on the Principal Client, Principal Contractor & Principal Designer, as well as all contractors on site to apply the following safety principles.  

•    Eliminate or control risks so far as is reasonably practicable
•    Ensure work is effectively planned
•    Appoint the right people and organization(s) at the right time
•    Make sure everyone has the right information, instruction, training and supervision to carry out their work safely and without risk to health
•    Have systems in place to cooperate and communicate with other contractors/persons onsite
•    Consult workers with a view to securing effective health, safety, and welfare measures.  
•    Any action required should always be sensible and proportionate to the risk.

Why have site rules & induction?  

•    It is a stated requirement under UK CDM regulations
•    The law requires all of us to work safely
•    We are each responsible for our own actions. Anyone can be prosecuted, fined, even imprisoned for not working safely
•    Everyone has the right to expect to work in a safe environment and go home without injury


Site Phases  
The event period (tenancy) is from Saturday 19th September to Friday 25th May and is split into three clear phases. Be aware of what phase the site is in when you are working on site:  

Red:         Saturday 19th September    
Amber:     Sunday 20th & Monday 21st September
Green:      Tuesday 22nd - Thursday 24th September until 1600 hours
Amber:     Thursday 24th September from 1600 - 2000hrs 
Red:          Friday 25th September until 2000hrs

Be aware of the types of accidents most likely to happen on the Exhibition site. For example: 
•    Vehicle and mobile plant accidents  
•    Falls from height/ being struck by falling objects  
•    Accidents with hand and power tools  
 
Be aware of your own employer’s inductions & risk assessments  
Your employer should provide you with a task specific induction / toolbox talk on arrival at work. 
You need to know what your employer’s risk assessment says – and apply them to the work you do. 

Be aware of the Exhibition site safety rules  
As well as your employer’s assessments, you need to comply with the following site safety rules: 

Follow the Contractors’ & Employers’ Code of Conduct  

•    Be mindful of your behaviour at all times.  
•    Do not smoke: Smoking is not permitted, including E-Cigarettes. 
•    Hi-vis vests and appropriate footwear to be worn at all times. 
•    You must ensure the utmost care & consideration is taken when working. Do not drink alcohol: Alcohol on site is not permitted. 

First aid arrangements  

•    Bring a first aid kit. 
•    If you need help please speak to venue Security, positioned throughout the hall.  

General safety requirements

•    Keep the place you are working tidy – avoid slips, trip and falls.  
•    See something unsafe? – deal with it yourself if you can or report it to the Organisers Office. 
•    Report accidents – even minor ones – it could prevent a more serious one.  
•    If you see someone acting unsafely, it is your duty to stop it and report to your supervisor.  
•    If in doubt, stop and ask your supervisor.  

General site requirements  

•    Use the toilets and hand-wash facilities provided throughout the venue. 
•    The use of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited onsite. Random testing may be carried out.  
•    Check any equipment you are using before you start and report any concerns immediately. 
•    You are responsible for removing your own waste and disposing of it safely. 
•    Liquid waste must not be poured into either rainwater, foul water sewers or drains. 

Site rules for use of vehicles, and operation of mobile plant

Only official contractors are able to operate vehicle and/or mobile plant onsite.

Battery operated/electric pallet trucks are not permitted

•    Valid full driving license for the type of vehicle used. 
•    Evidence of training for the type of vehicle/plant used, as well as employer’s authorisation to drive. 
•    Mph speed limit on site. 
•    Seat belts used if fitted. 
•    No passengers carried, unless a proper seat is fitted for each person. 
•    All reversing vehicles have a banksman. 
•    Safety reversing alarms used on all vehicles operated in reverse, if applicable. 
•    Passengers MUST NOT be carried on forklifts or vehicles if there is no provision for a passenger
 
Site rules for work at height

•    Avoid working at height where possible. 
•    Suitable towers, ladders and stepladders are fit for purpose, in good condition, and used safely. 

Site rules for use of power tools

•    Training and your employer’s authorisation are required for the use any type of power tool. 
•    Use of eye, hearing or other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used where appropriate. 
•    All hot work activities that may generate enough heat to cause ignition are prohibited. This may include gas or electric arc welding; use of LPG torches or blowlamps; hot air paint strippers; lead welding; angle grinding; If in doubt, ask!  

Site rules for basic PPE

•    Hi-vis (worn properly) & safety footwear to be worn at all times.  
•    Other PPE: e.g. safety helmet, are worn as required by your own risk assessment. 
 

Disciplinary action in relation to safety  

Safety is in the same category as work performance, and other disciplinary issues. Breaking safety rules will result in a warning to the person concerned and to the company employing them. Repeated breaches of the safety rules may result in the Principal Contactor requiring the removal of a contractor or personnel from site.