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TRAINING, RECRUITMENT & EDUCATION
Organisers urged to look at updated code of practice
Lance Show and Publications has welcomed another member of the family into the team – Johnny Lance. As the youngest member of the Lance family, Johnny is no stranger to The Showman’s Show and The Showman’s Directory and in recent years has worked as a steward at the show. He will play a key role in the organisation and running of both the show and the directory.
By Christina Eccles
Sally joins Thorns’ team SALLY Fisher has joined the team at Thorns Group’s Manchester office – taking on the role of of sales executive. Sally’s career has spanned 16 years in both sales and media during which time she has received numerous sales awards. For the past three years, she has been a sales executive at Lancashire and Lake District Life, the UK’s biggest-selling county magazine. Sales director Clair Whitecross said: “We are delighted to welcome Sally to Thorns and look forward to seeing her at the top of her game. I think she will fit in really well with the team here and will prove to be a great asset.”
ORGANISERS and suppliers have been urged to familiarise themselves with an updated code of practice for the temporary structures industry. The Safe Use and Operation of Temporary Demountable Fabric Structures guidelines, called Safe Use and Operation of Temporary Demountable Fabric Structures, have been developed by MUTA, the trade association for the marquee and fabric structure industry. The new version of the code of practice reflects changes to the industry since it was last updated in 2008. The document now recognises the growth of non-standard fabric structures in unusual shapes and configurations and addresses health and safety issues including the need for a biannual StructureSafe on-site safety course and increased preventive measures to combat the hazard of hidden underground services. Other changes to the Code of Practice include the following areas: Scope – to include all temporary demountable fabric structures Stability – to cover tipis and nonstandard structures Electrical installations – to clarify the need for a qualified electrician Naked flames – importance of carrying out a thorough risk assessment Client awareness – to clarify their responsibility to provide a safe site Training – requirement for members to provide adequate safety training to crews Personal Protection Equipment – to clarify when to use hard hats
Fire exits – to include good practice to provide an additional exit MUTA president Tony Marsh said: “MUTA represents fabric structures contractors who take safety on site seriously and we continuously seek to improve working practices in the industry as a whole. “We have included the requirement for members to train their crews using the MUTA StructureSafe on-site safety course or a recognised industry equivalent. This accreditation, coupled with our MUTA NVQ Development programme, reinforces our commitment to improving skills within our industry. “While clients are expected to provide their contractors with a safe site and let them know where underground cables and pipes are located, those contractors are also responsible for keeping their workers safe. This is why MUTA is now recommending that where there is any doubt our members scan the ground for any hidden services as part of their preerection survey. “As well as reviewing our guidance, MUTA continues to raise standards in the sector through inspection of our members’ erection crews on site and their finished structures. Event organisers can satisfy themselves that their suppliers meet industry best practice and minimise their event risk profile by using only MUTAmarq-accredited contractors.” The new version of the document is available to download for free from the MUTA website.
Hundreds attend launch party OVER 350 people visited LS-Live’s headquarters in West Yorkshire for the launch party of its new studio facilities, stages and the unveiling of its new training centre, The Backstage Academy. Visitors took tours around the facilities and saw where Backstage Academy courses will take place on the site of the studio. They were also treated to a BBQ, bar, aerialists, a laser show, an exhibit of LS-Live’s outdoor stages and an interactive audiovisual installation. In addition to its arena sized rehearsal space, LS-Live has added two production offices, 14 en-suite bedrooms, six en-suite dressing rooms, a dance studio, green room, gym, catering and two multifunctional spaces to its offering, meaning incoming productions have everything they need on site for accommodation and entertainment.