Safety Procedures At Festivals

Festivals in the UK are typically gatherings of large crowds in outdoor spaces, meant to celebrate something special, such as a special aspect of culture or the arts. Some examples of well known UK festivals include Burns Night in Scotland celebrating poet Robert Burns, Jorvik Viking Festival in York celebrating viking heritage, Hay on Wye Festival in Wales, and Isle of Wight Festival in Seaclose Park. There are many more music festivals throughout the UK, where festival participants may pick and choose the artists or acts they want to see.

People of all ages go to UK festivals. The average age of the crowd will depend on the type of venue. For instance, the Viking Festival is likely to attract people of all ages who are interested in viking culture, including children. Music festivals can cater to adults of all ages, depending on the predominant type of music and artists scheduled for the venue.

When it comes to safety, fall prevention ranks among the top priorities, both during setup of the venue and during the celebration itself. Other safety concerns include burn or shock prevention, food safety and standards for health, and fire prevention.

Extra information about fall prevention

During setup, any stages and stairs should be assembled with weather in mind. Strong gusts of wind can contribute to falls for those involved in setup. Any wires or cords used for amps, speakers, special lighting, and other effects should be kept away from common walkways or areas of travel. They should also be kept off the ground and away from wet areas. This is a particular concern in wet or rainy weather.

Any gases or liquid chemicals used for entertainment should be properly stored in their original tanks and kept away from access by festival goers.

To keep crowds safe during events, any areas that attendants shouldn't access should be barricaded or fenced off. This includes stages and access to stages for performers. Wires and cords should be kept away from pubic access as well, as an important fall prevention measure. If the weather calls for rain, areas that may be prone to getting muddy can benefit from emergency or safety lighting, so attendees can see whee they're walking. Sources of power such as cords should never be left on the ground, if there's a chance of heavy rain.

When it comes to safety at festivals, food and food handling measures are crucial in preventing illness. All vendors offering food should adhere to HSE standards, including safe handling and storage of food products. Proper refrigeration and cooking or heating methods should be used to prevent growth of bacteria that can cause illness.

Some additional safety measures for festivals include having plenty of trash bins available so trash is does not end up on the ground, making sure plenty of fresh, clan water is available, and using noise barriers if the venue is located near neighborhoods where noise could cause a problem. Fire extinguishers and a medical or first aid station should be in place and an established route is necessary for emergency medical services.