The Bridgewater Hall Risk Assessment School Groups using The Bridgewater Hall F = Frequency S = Severity 1 Rarely 2 Occasionally 3 Regularly 4 Frequently 5 - Constantly 1 Non-reportable 2 Treat on site 3 Needing Medical Attention 4 - Critical 5 Fatality NB: This Risk Assessment refers to the responsibilities of SMG staff at The Bridgewater Hall. Outlined on pages one and two of this document are those areas where the school must take responsibility. In signing the Confirmation Form, the school is deemed to have understood and accepted this responsibility. All equipment for use by Artists, e.g. chairs, stools and music stands are inspected and maintained regularly. Defects and breakages are to be reported to the Technical Manager at the earliest opportunity. The Bridgewater Hall Management will endeavour to rectify problems as soon as possible. SMG s jurisdiction covers the physical confines of The Bridgewater Hall and one (1) meter outside. However we do operate a Duty of Care for customers entering and leaving via the car park at Artists Reception and for The Bridgewater Hall events on the Piazza to the front of the building. The decision of SMG staff will be final, when it comes to safety within The Hall. In the case of any dispute, the event organisers and the SMG Duty Manager should take the time to discuss and resolve the issue. By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 1 of 7
Responsibility of School Responsibility of The Bridgewater Hall 1 BWH will provide sufficient stewards to escort groups of children around the relevant parts of the building. 1 The school is required to provide The Bridgewater Hall with a risk assessment to cover their visit to The Bridgewater Hall (BWH). 2 The School must provide the correct ratio of adults to children or young people in line with regulations and depending on the ages of the children. 3 The school staff are responsible for the behaviour and discipline of the children. BWH staff are not to be considered as additional supervisory staff for school children. 4 School staff are responsible for permission to leave the building. BWH staff will not hand children over to parents or collecting adults nor will they sanction children leaving the building during the hire day. Permission must always be confirmed by the school staff. 5 School staff must stay on site until the last child has left the building. 6 The school must provide BWH with a contact name and mobile number for the person in charge of the school party on the day. This person must be introduced to the reception staff on arrival and should be in a position to make decisions on behalf of the school party. A telephone number for the school should also be handed to reception on arrival. 7 BWH will require a list of attendees prior to the day of the event. 8 Children who are in the building as performers are not permitted to leave the building through the front doors. They must sign out and leave via Artists Entrance, unless otherwise agreed in advance. 9 No food or drink is allowed in the auditorium, at any 2 BWH will provide sufficient stewards to carry out emergency evacuation of The Bridgewater Hall where necessary. 3 BWH will provide a safe working environment for schools. This will include lighting and ventilation for all working areas. 4 BWH staff are responsible for keeping access corridors free of equipment. To this end, school staff may be required to assist in the removal of children and / or their property, and the property of the school, from corridors. 5 BWH will provide first aid cover, where required and a first aid room where numbers dictate it s necessity. 6 BWH Technical staff are responsible for safety on the platform (stage). All BWH equipment used on events will be Fire Proof, PAT tested and suitable for use. Any defects discovered should be reported to Technical staff who will endeavour to rectify the fault at their earliest opportunity. 7 Please refer to the body of this risk assessment. By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 2 of 7
time. 10 Children who are attending a concert as audience members must leave via the front doors unless otherwise arranged in advance. 11 The BWH would prefer the school to provide their own first aid appointed person. BWH will provide first aid cover and a first aid room, but no member of BWH will attend as a first aider without the presence of a member of school staff. Please inform BWH whether you will be providing a first aider yourself. 12 BWH will require prior notice of all on stage activity. If BWH staff consider an activity on stage to be unsafe or inappropriate, that activity will not be permitted. 13 All equipment, props and costumes, etc. must be safe for use before it enters The Bridgewater Hall this means that pieces of scenery or props must be fireproof and electrical equipment must have a portable appliance test certificate. BWH Technical staff can advise on this subject in advance of the date. 14 The cost of repair of any damage to the building caused by any member of the school party will be charged to the school. By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 3 of 7
Hazard Risk No.s F S Rating F x S Contingency Measures Heavy Physically 6 4 3 12 The Hall provide specialist trolleys fit for Equipment injury purpose Access from truck tail height is flat to stage Hydraulic platforms are lifted only when equipment is in place (i.e. platforms lift the equipment) Piano Moves (See method sheet for Piano Moves) Trip and Slip Hazards Electricity (equipment and power supplies) Crushing, physical injury Tripping and falling Electric Shock, Burns In-House staff trained in Manual Handling 3 4 4 16 Only trained staff to move pianos Pianos regularly maintained Surrounding area cleared and monitored during move Lip / Kick board on front edge of stage Several 4 3 12 All cables taped down prior to event Warning signs put out for wet floors and deep drops Hydraulic lift stage section edges marked with tape when deemed necessary by competent personnel No food or drinks permitted side of stage or on the platform All areas tidied and cleaned regularly Several 3 5 15 All necessary portable electrical equipment is PAT tested Power supplies are isolated and protected by circuit protective device Only competent personnel to operate or install equipment Competent person present in Hall at all times when schools are in. The building electrical installation is tested in accordance with 16 th Edition IEE regulations and all current Licensing requirements. Revised F Revised S Revised Rating 2 2 4 2 2 4 1 3 3 By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 4 of 7
Electricity Cont.d Hydraulic Platforms (See Method Sheet for Moving Platforms) Tripping, falling, trapping, crushing Up to 100 4 5 20 Platforms operated only by a competent person (Technical Department only) Platforms are mechanically isolated (key) Platforms protected by emergency stop buttons and micro-switches. Platforms regularly maintained Platforms monitored by second person at all times during move Stage checked for equipment spanning platforms prior to move Platforms clear of personnel during move Signage and stanchions used for rear lift to basement (Number 8) Danger, Deep Drop 2 5 10 Staff Working Overhead Falling equipment Several 3 5 15 Unused holes in Technical Ceiling covered at all times Only competent persons to work in Technical Ceiling and roof void All rigging and slinging equipment complies with current regulations (LOLER, and PUWER) and are inspected regularly 1 5 5 Reflectors (Overhead Orchestral Lighting) Reflectors Cont.d Crushing, injury to head, damage to equipment. Several 2 3 6 Trained personnel to operate (Technical Department only) Reflectors are mechanically isolated (Key) Reflector mechanisms are regularly maintained Platform to be clear and monitored by second person during moves By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 5 of 7
Fire (See also Evacuation Procedure, Health and Safety Policy and Hall Fire Risk Assessment) Including use of Pyrotechnics Loading Bay Loading Bay Cont.d Burns, panic, shock, smoke inhalation Many 3 5 15 Smoke and heat detectors installed throughout building Fire Alarm system and Secure Public Address System are installed and regularly maintained Fire fighting equipment to hand in all risk areas In-House personnel trained in the use of fire fighting equipment In-House staff trained in Evacuation Procedure Smoking is not permitted in any area of the building All drapes and cloths are inherently fire proof Chairs and stools comply with current regulations Pyrotechnic devices operated only by competent personnel under strict guidelines The Bridgewater Hall complies will all licensing requirements for a building of its type COSHH regulations are in force and complied with Slip, trip, fall > 1 4 4 16 Signage warning of Deep Drop. Stewards on duty back of house for large events Technical staff on duty at all times when the school are in the building CCTV on loading bay. Loading bay to be kept as clear as possible, allowing clear view of drop. 1 3 3 2 4 8 By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 6 of 7
Access and Egress Slip, trip, fall, crush (due to overcrowding) >500 2 4 8 Sufficient stewards to supervise all areas Steward checks prior to every event all escape routes clear, all exits unlocked, all lights (particularly emergency lights) in working order No sitting or gathering in corridors or stairways at any time Front of Stage Technical Equipment in Public Areas Technical Equipment in Public Areas Cont.d Crushing, falling from stage, unauthorised access to back of house Trip, slip, physical injury, electrocution >50 2 4 8 Trained stewards and/or security staff on duty at the front of the stage before, during and after the performance <20 2 5 10 All cables to be taped down Area to be stanchioned off where possible Equipment not to be left unattended (Technical and/or steward) All areas to be checked for safety by Front of House staff prior to opening to the public. Use of Wheelchairs Trapping fingers, back strain, crushing 2 3 3 9 Stewarding staff trained in the use of BWH wheelchairs Stewards to communicate clearly with the user of the wheelchair Staff trained in manual handling. 2 1 2 By Armelle Rainjonneau, House Manager Page 7 of 7