News

CDM - Construction (design and management) regulations have been a pet subject of ours for a long time. Their application, their enforcement, what they are, what they are not and who enforces have all been covered. We've always been supportive of the theory - identify certain roles and responsibilities and make sure the people with those roles create a safe workplace. We've also maintained that, if you do it right, you've nothing to worry about. Things are about to change....but maybe they're not.

As previously reported, CDM has always applied to our sector but HSE policy has been to not enforce it, instead enforcing the Health and Safety at Work Act, allowing our sector to manage responsibilities. That approach has worked.

As recently reported, CDM has been reviewed, and HSE are consulting on changes. The changes look good; they're designed to comply with EU directives (to avoid big EU fines) and simplify things to better engage SMEs. But that's in Construction; there's nothing to say how it will actually apply to entertainment and events. All it says is that its rules willl apply to 'projects' with 2 or more contractors. Stage, light, sound, video, crew, catering, power....that's 2 or more; DJ and magician setting up a kids' party....does that count?

Needless to say, our response reads similarly to other organisations in the sector. Please be less vague, please assess the potential impact. Construction already work with the regulations, any simplification will decrease the regulatory burden. For entertainment, any decision to introduce without any word of guidance, any measure of where it should apply or any assessment of its financial impact will be seen as a huge increase in the regulatory burden - not something Government want to see. Very recent developments have seen a slightly different direction from HSE. CDM changes are being overseen by HSE Construction, their Entertainment division is looking now at the policy to not enforce CDM. The impact of changing that policy can and should be assessed...and it will. It goes without saying that we'll be helping with that work.

In the nmeantime, we urge you to view the consultation and respond before the deadline. If you would like a copy of our response, email gm@psa.org.uk.

The HSE consultation and response details can be found here

Safety Advisory Groups; some are good, some are bad, they should all be the former. To that end, The Emergency Planning College convened a meeting of the great and the good to devise a best practice guide for SAGs. They've now released the document into the wild for consultation. To see it and comment (by June 6th please) visit  http://www.epcollege.com/epc/news/we-would-like-your-feedback-on-our-uk-good-practic.aspx

Some may feel that this is a fairly accurate representation.

One of your fellow members has, through hard work and saving pennies, secured a little corner of paradise in Tobago. The great news is, it's available to let and members get mates rates. Get yourself a piece of Carpe Diem at http://www.castara.net/

No idea how but we do know that the driver is OK and the Aussie Pink Floyd show happened that night.

 The 2014 Britain for Events campaign launches this week with a far reaching national print, broadcast and digital campaign that will represent the very best of the UK events industry. The national campaign will hit later this week and is being supported with a brand new motion graphic video that celebrates all things ‘Britain for Events’.

The dedicated body for the events industry is also pushing ahead with what is set to be another busy and energetic campaign year with a series of targeted events throughout 2014.

The current impact of the now £39.1 billion UK events industry has seen a growth of the sector in Britain of £3 billion since 2010 and represents the wealth of talent, passion, creativity and innovation which characterises Britain’s events industry today

With a presence at the International Festival for Business in July, the creation of a National Events Month in October and continued support for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) events inquiry, the campaign is set for its strongest and most productive year yet.

“Once again Britain is hosting some of the biggest sporting and cultural events in 2014, from the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games in Scotland to Glastonbury. Supporting events, from local fairs and festivals to globally significant moments, we have lots to be proud of within the UK,” comments Alistair Turner, Britain for Events Campaign Director.

Continuing, Alistair added; “Simply put, we’re good at putting on events, we get it, and that is something that has been proven around the world. We’re happy to be leading the charge and saying just how good Britain’s Events are.”

www.britainforevents.co.uk

New sessions have been added to the Professional Development Programme taking place at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2014, at the Royal Armouries at Clarence Dock, only a short distance from the centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April 2014.

The Professional Development Programme runs alongside a two-hall exhibition of the latest entertainment technology products. It is free to attend and offers visitors access to sessions presented by some of the most talented names in pro audio, lighting and video.

As access to new technology and music is made easier and more affordable, it has changed the working DJ’s role. A panel of DJs, led by Paul Arnett, chairman of the National Association of Disc Jockeys, will discuss these issues in Now Everyone’s a DJ, What’s Our Role? Arnett will be joined by: Danny Rampling, a household name in the UK who is well-known for his stints on BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM, as well as his legendary Acid House club Shoom; Ilona Rampling, a regular face on the dance music scene and major festival circuit who has recently joined forces with her husband Danny Rampling; and Richard Lee, label manager for Mastermix, Europe’s largest supplier of DJ only music.

Oran Burns, from Application Support & Education at d&b audiotechnik, will present Sound System Fundamentals. Through experiments and practical demonstrations, Burns will provide a fresh look at some basic acoustics and sound system principals; the frequency and wavelength relationship, addition and subtraction of sound waves and a look at how these phenomena crop up everywhere in our lives as working sound engineers.

Increase Your Productivity and Performance Workflow with Digital Mixing Technology will be presented by Alex Jann of Audio-Technica. This seminar will cover many areas of digital mixing including the benefits of using digital desks over analogue, scenes and show data, and recording show audio for live events, all from the new Allen & Heath QU24.

On Monday 28 April, The Theatres Trust will hold their annual conference; Conference 14: Community Theatres at City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds. The following day, as part of the Professional Development Programme, a session entitled Championing ‘Community Theatres’ will take place. Mhora Samuel, director of The Theatres Trust, will address some of the key findings of the Conference and provide an update on the Trust’s Theatres Advice Service, Small Grants Scheme, Theatres at Risk activity, and recent planning cases. PLASA Focus visitors who are interested in attending Conference 14 are eligible for an early bird booking rate until Friday 28 March 2014. Further information is available at http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/events/conference-14/welcome.

Additions to the Professional Development Programme will be announced in the coming weeks. All sessions are free to attend. To get more details on the sessions of your choice, register as a visitor, or to find out more about what's on offer at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2014 go to: www.plasafocus.com/leeds/.

Sound engineer, production manager and crazy fool, Sean Bisby-Little, and a friend  are currently training for a Charity Bike ride in July.

They are going to ride in 3 days off road across country through the Lake District, across the Yorkshire Dales & North Yorkshire Moors from Whitehaven on the West coast of England to Scarborough on the East Coast. Yes, they really are.

Its an event called Rat Race The Crossing:195 miles in 3 days, doesnt sound a lot if you are on the road but off road is a completely different kettle of fish!!

How to donate

They're doing it for Cancer Research in the memory of 2 people that they have lost and for all of the other people out there who will need the Cancer Research charity's support.

A tough challenge, a worthy cause - go on, hit the link and add a few quid towards their sponsorship target

Make a donation via JustGiving

'I know loads of people do loads of stuff for charity but to do this we are having to train for 3 months otherwise we probably just wont make it so it really is a massive challenge. I just hope to god it doesnt rain, but even then if its sunny that will be really difficult too' Sean Bisby-Little

The Health and Safety Executive ha sreleased the long-awaited consultation on changes to the SConstruction Design and Management Regulations. Due to become law in April 2015, the regulations set out certain roles and responsibilities for construction projects involving more than one contractor. HSE has made it clear that builds for events will come under these regulations.

Although the construction sector will see less complication, it is widely felt that the live events sector will simply have a sudden increase in regulatory burden, along with associated costs of training and development in new roles.

That's not to say the regulations are entirely unwanted, as it's hard to fault the concept of haing safety woven into the planning stage and ensuring that clients ensure a safe workplace.

The crucial issues are that HSE has not carried out a sufficient assessment of the impacts it will have when introduced across our sector and that there is insufficient time to train and develop people into the roles.

Additionally, HSE has, in its proposals, stated that industry specific guidance will be written. To date, no events industry group has been asked to contribute to any HSE guidance.

Several industry groups have spoken together with a view to developing a coordinated response, PSA is playing its part.

If you would like to know more, email gm@psa.org.uk and we can share the PSA response with you.

To view the HSE consultation CLICK HERE