Setting health and safety standards at events

The standard includes the identification of the required control and management processes and services, as well as health and safety management. The latter is most important as all entertainment events in South Africa are classified as work activities, and are therefore subject to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993), as amended from time to time.

Five years ago, on 11 April 2001, 43 fans died in a stampede at a soccer match at Ellis Park. As a result of the enquiry, various deficiencies in the procedures followed at the match were identified. Since then, problems at other live events have also gained media attention, including when President Mbeki narrowly escaped injury when a temporary stage covering collapsed at the Union Buildings.

"As the SABS had already begun work on a standard for technical supply companies to use for live events, the authorities turned to us, hoping that this standard could be used to prevent another such disaster from ever happening again," explains Kuskus.

"The bad publicity surrounding the recent 'Metallica' tour to a number of stadiums is exactly what the TPSA [Technical Production Services Association] wants to prevent," adds Barry Snow, former chairman of the TPSA and convenor of the Working Group that wrote the standard.

"Among other things, the standard sets out guidelines for establishing requirements for crowds at different types of events, and crowds of various sizes. We feel that, if an organiser follows the standard and uses the advice properly, the chances of having a successful, trouble-free event are very great indeed," Snow concludes.

The standard may be purchased from:

Standards Sales
SABS
Tel +27 (0)12 428 6883)
Fax +(0)12 428 6928
Email

For additional information on the standard, contact:

Barry Snow
Cell +27 (0)82 875 8349
Fax +27 (0)11 312 2398
Email