What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how

Controls

What further action do you need to consider to control the risks? 

Who needs to carry out the action?

When is the action needed by?

Noise from the amplified speakers will reach over 140dB

Everyone in the nearby area by exposure to noise exceeding recommended limits

A decibel meter will be set up within view of the audio mixing desk, so that the volunteer working for the stage area keeps the levels below the maximum level.

Volunteers will be trained to keep the average noise level in the stage area to 107 dB(A)

Decibel meter comes with an alarm that will go off if noise has exceeded a threshold. The threshold will be set lower than 140dB to ensure that the volunteer will be able to action a reduction in volume.

Volunteer

During the setup of the stage area

People getting too close to the speakers

Everyone through being exposed to higher than expected noise due to proximity to the speakers

Everyone will be told to keep clear of the speakers, and a 1m exclusion area be set up around the primary speakers.

The decibel meter will be set up at the 1m mark to ensure that noise does not exceed the average of 107 db(A)

Announcements to be made during the Opening Ceremony to keep away from the speakers.

Signs will be set up at the entrance and near to the speakers to warn people to stay at a safe distance

Volunteer

During the setup of the stage area

Signs printed prior to the festival

Volunteers running the stage being affected by noise from the amplified speakers

Volunteers running the stage could be affected by the noise due to proximity to the sound system, or prolonged exposure

Hearing protection will be offered to volunteers who will be managing the sound systems at the stage area.

Volunteers will be limited to a maximum of 4 hours without a break when operating the sound system.

Volunteers will check in with Operations once they have completed their shift. The operations manager will confirm that the volunteer is fit to continue, any concerns will be raised to the First Aid team for action.

If a Volunteer’s hearing is considered affected by exposure to the noise, then First Aid will confirm, and they will not be allowed to continue working in the stage area.

Signs will be placed near to the sound management area to remind volunteers that Hearing Protection is available.

Volunteer

Organised prior to the festival

Ongoing monitoring throughout the festival

Sound being heard by local residents to the campsite.

Sound being heard by residences of the festival in the camping areas.

Sound exposure that could cause annoyance and could be seen as a nuisance.

Regular sound monitoring will be conducted around the campsite every 15 minutes while amplified sound is being generated from the stage. Locations of testing will be identified on the site event map, and sound levels logged centrally.

Local residence groups will be notified of contact numbers available to reach our Operations Team for any queries.

An emergency number will be visibly placed at the front entrance to the campsite

Volunteer

Organised prior to festival

Sound monitoring to be ongoing during the festival

Falling from the Stage, via the stairs or while on the stage itself.

Anyone who needs to be on the stage, doing a performance or leaving off the stage via appropriate ways.

Handrails are supplied on the stairs of the stage to allow people to hold on when climbing up and down the stairs.

Rails will be supplied to the sides and rear of the stage to prevent falls from the sides and the rear.

Visible Markings will be displayed on the stage floor 1m away from the front to allow anyone on stage performing know where the front of the stage is.

Reminders of anyone going on stage to use the Hand Rails and to keep away from the front of the stage.

Rental Company of the Stage.

Volunteer

Organised prior to the festival, checked throughout the event.

People getting too close to the lights standing on the floor.

Everyone through potential trip hazards

Everyone will be told to stay away from the lights that are located on the floor.

There will be a 1m marking on the floor to denote areas where people should remain out of these markings.

Reminders will be given to anyone going on the stage about the lights to stay away from the lights.

Volunteer

During the setup of the Stage Area

Signs printed prior to the event.

Lights falling from the roof of the stage

Everyone who uses the stage from the potential of lights falling.

All stage lights that are mounted on the roof of the stage will be mounted with suitable fixtures and also secured on the mounting bars with Safety Straps rated for the weight of the lights.

Operations Team

During the setup of the Stage Area.