ARE YOU ORGANISING AN EVENT?

Posts Tagged ‘Risk’

ARE YOU ORGANISING AN EVENT?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Its Summer and your business or organisation may be involved with the organising of an event, but have you considered the risks involved?

It is important that you manage the additional liability risks involved in organising an outdoor event.

AVIVA have released a timely simple guidance document, to help you through the steps you need to take.

As part of its ‘Simply Safety’ campaign, insurance provider Aviva is emphasizing that proper planning and risk assessment of such events as fêtes, carnivals and parades are crucial to ensure that the organisers don’t incur additional liability and a fun and safe time is had by all.

Phil Grace, liability risk manager at Aviva, had the following advice for event organisers:

“Sketch a plan of the site showing the position of the activities, the entrance and exit routes, and car parking. This will be useful in explaining how the event will be organised.

“A risk assessment should always be undertaken in advance to properly assess the additional risks. The assessment should include identification of all possible hazards that could occur and also include how the risk will be controlled. Event organisers should also request risk assessments from third parties such as contractors and participants and, where appropriate, method statements for the activities they will carry out.” 

In particular, event organisers should consider:

  • Stands and stalls
  • Marquees, stages and caterers’ stands/tents
  • Bouncy castles and amusement rides
  • Control of people and vehicles

Grace also pointed out that contingency planning is just as important as risk assessment and advised event organisers to consider what could go wrong on the day and draw up a plan to deal with such emergencies as a fire, bomb alert and adverse weather conditions.

You can download it from here

 https://help.aviva.co.uk/resources/avivabroker/tools-and-templates/Simply_Safety_Events_July_2010

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Don’t take the risk of making a move in the Wrong Direction

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

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Many company directors are still not aware of their responsibilities as part of the Companies Act 2006, and remain ignorant that they could be prosecuted for their failures to take appropriate action when required.

 

That’s the view of Stuart Williams, a director at Cowens Survival Capability, a business that helps firms understand how to ensure that they have the right business continuity procedures in place.  Stuart says that recently, Cowens SC has been inundated with enquiries from directors who fear that the economic environment could signal the end of their business, and are concerned about the  consequences.

 

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Stuart commented:

“Under the Companies Act 2006, directors must make decisions and take appropriate actions that make their business a success.  The difference now though is that directors can be individually held liable, not just the corporate entity.  Many people are unaware that they do not even have to be named as a director to incur liability, as being in position to control or influence a business can leave an individual open to liability.”

 

Failure to take correct actions could lead to a director being sued by the company, shareholders and customers, with consequences including fines or jail terms.  Business continuity planning is about ensuring the right strategies are in place ensuring the right strategies are in place so that when a crisis happens, a business can respond quickly and effectively.  Part of building a robust plan involves correctly analysing internal and external risks, such as site safety, fraud, environmental procedures, and health and safety issues.  The role of a director, as defined by the Government, is someone who must decide on what is most likely to promote the company’s success – in effect, a long-term increase in value.  Says Stuart: “It’s a complex role being a director, and whilst it is a good title to have, people must realise that the duties are now enshrined in law.  The company, its shareholders, employees, creditors, competitors, regulators and even the Government could sue you if they feel a loss has arisen because of a director acting incorrectly.

 

This means that if a claim is brought against a person, they may be personally liable to defend those claims, something that could put personal assets at risk.  The effects of this could be that a person is disqualified as a director, a criminal prosecution leaving to a jail term, personal bankruptcy, the loss of a job or reputation and then of course there is the impact on a family unit should any of this happen.”  Cowens advises its clients across the UK on these issues, first ensuring that a risk analysis is carried out before an appropriately strong risk management system is implemented.

 

Having developed over the past 25 years, the knowledge, expertise, experience, understanding and resources to help and guide people to carry out risk analysis properly.  Cowens will suggest practical measures to eliminate, reduce or minimise exposure.

Advisors at Cowens will provide the tools and technical support to assess the probability of the risk occurring and give people all the information they need to make a qualified commercial decision whether or not to accept it.

For more information on business continuity planning, and the responsibilities placed on directors and individuals, visit www.cowenssc.co.uk or contact Cowens now.

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Winter Weather – Risk Management Guidance Note

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

During the winter months, worsening weather conditions inevitably lead to storm, frost and burst pipes damage to businesses and increase the likelihood of injury to employees.

The damage is likely to come from three sources:

  • Wind
  • Frost and snow
  • Burst pipes 

Wind 

In the UK we generally do not get the devastating hurricanes which regularly affect areas of the US, however many coastal areas can suffer storms, with winds gusting to over 100 miles an hour. 

Protection and Preparation 

  • Keep track of weather forecasts.
  • Periodically inspect roofs and flashing.
  • Check vents, skylights, and signs to ensure they are secure.
  • Check that windows, doors and their frames are securely fixed to the building.
  • Inspect any trees that are close to your building.
  • Ensure loads are secured during transit.
  • Inspect all buildings after severe storm 

Frost, snow and burst pipes 

Freezing conditions regularly lead to flooding from burst pipes. In addition, snow melts combined with

fresh rain falls can overwhelm the drainage system and result in local flooding. In very extreme conditions heavy snowfalls can impose significant loads on roof structures although this is thankfully extremely rare in the UK. In addition to direct damage to property from the buildings, accidents and incidents are also more likely during periods of cold weather. 

Protection and Preparation 

  • Plan for safe methods of snow removal. Check all heating units for reliable operation as winter approaches. See that building insulation is in place, windows are not broken, and openings are sealed.
  • Provide fire hydrants, sprinkler valves and fire brigade sprinkler connections with markers visible above potential snow piles.
  • Provide generators as back-up power supplies for critical operations.
  • Develop a strategy for protecting water pipes.
  • Ensure temperature sensitive materials are adequately stored.
  • Store all stock/WIP off the floor to prevent damage by flooding.
  • Clean all roof gutters and down pipes ensuring they are free from obstruction.
  • Service heating systems regularly and ensure thermostats/frost-stats are working correctly and set appropriately.
  • If portable heaters are required, ensure they are adequately maintained, staff are trained to use them safely and that fire risk assessments are updated to reflect the additional hazard.
  • Ensure sprinkler systems are maintained; alternate systems are drained.
  • Ensure sprinkler pump houses are adequately heated.
  • Drain water pipes in areas likely to freeze. Where this is not possible ensure the pipes are properly lagged.
  • Ensure all traffic and travel routes on your site are kept clear of snow/ice.
  • Provide a stock of salt/grit for keeping paths and traffic routes free of snow/ice.
  • Ensure fire hydrant markers are kept clear of snow drifts.
  • Ensure vehicles are serviced, water levels and anti-freeze are adequate.
  • Plan routes to avoid minor roads, which may not have been cleared of snow and ice.
  • Inspect your buildings after a period of freezing weather.

Employees

For employees who have to work outside or work in unheated buildings, risk assessments must be revised, taking the cold weather into account. Simple controls can be implemented to mitigate the effects of the cold weather. 

  • Provide warm waterproof clothing where required.
  • Ensure regular breaks where employees can rest in a warm area.
  • Provide regular hot drinks.
  • Undertake job rotation, ensuring individuals’ exposure to the cold is limited. 

The following checklist may help when determining the required actions:

 check-list

Special thanks to Travelers Insurance Co Ltd, for the above useful guidance.

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