CCQS UK Ltd

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Risk assessment

Risk assessment is an iterative process involving identification of hazards and evaluating the risks which they pose. The ideal solution is to eliminate the hazard, but that is often not possible, so measures to mitigate unacceptable levels of risk can then be considered. The process is iterative because once initial measures have been considered the risks are re-evaluated. Once the risks are reduced as low as possible by mitigation, measures to deal with residual risks can be considered. These would typically be warning labels, warnings in user instructions, use of PPE and safe systems of work.
The concept of risk assessment is fundamental to modern Health and Safety legislation. Rather than proscribing fixed solutions, modern legislation places the responsibility on the equipment manufacturer or user to identify hazards and reduce the risk they cause to acceptable levels.
There are many different techniques for risk assessment. There is no one best way and different techniques may be more appropriate in different situations. CCQS’ engineers have made many risk assessments for a wide variety of equipment. CCQS can help with risk assessments and advise on the best approach to use in a particular situation.

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LOLER Regulations

Like much Health and Safety legislation, LOLER is a codification of what should be good practice.
It covers all equipment used for lifting. In a theatre this would include flybars and associated winches, performer flying equipment, scissor lifts used for stage effects or moving equipment between levels and any portable lifting equipment like chain blocks. It does not cover building lifts.
The legislation primarily requires regular inspection of all lifting equipment, but also requires adequate measures for record keeping and maintenance.
The regulations also require planning of lifting operations. Most lifting in theatres uses predefined lifting systems, but for some shows special lifting arrangements would be used, and these would require planning under LOLER.
The HSE page on LOLER is here www.hse.gov.uk
There are links to further guidance and a code of practice.
The legislation itself is here www.legislation.gov.uk

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Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

PUWER places a legal duty on all employers to ensure that the equipment they provide to employees is safe and fit for purpose. Theatres are no different to any other workplace in this respect.
Work equipment covers everything for simple hand tools to large and complex machinery.
LOLER and PPE regulations also cover work equipment and compliance with this regulations are part of compliance with PUWER. There is also a connection to CE marking Regulations, since it can be assumed that equipment with a valid CE marking will meet PUWER when it is first put into use. (If used as intended by the manufacturer)
PUWER not only covers the condition of work equipment but also its management. Management of regular inspections, recording of results and auctioning of any maintenance necessary is also required and there must be measures in place to ensure that users understand how to use the equipment safely and receive adequate training where necessary.
The HSE page on PUWER is here www.hse.gov.uk The legislation itself is here www.legislation.gov.uk

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Relevant standards

Conformity with Approved Codes of Practice from HSE provide a recognised way of complying with UK regulations. Conformity with other standards is not a legal requirement, but standards are considered to reflect current best practice, so if equipment does not meet the requirements, there must be a careful justification of why it can still be considered safe.
There are a variety codes of practice for entertainment venues published by UK HSE and ABTT. See our Links page

British standards BS7905 parts 1 and 2 for above stage equipment and BS 7906 parts 1 and 2 for above stage equipment and BS 7909 for electrical systems for entertainment are very useful and provide guidance on accepted good practice in the UK.
There is a strong raft of harmonised EN standards which have been commissioned by the EU to support CE marking Directives such as Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. Whilst the majority of these standards are not directly relevant to performance venues, they can provide useful guidance, for example the EN 14122 series contains information about accepted dimensions and strengths for fixed means of access like ladders, stairs and platforms. There are so many EN standards it can be hard to select which are appropriate. CCQS has a great deal of experience in applying these standards to a wide variety of equipment, so we are well placed to select relevant parts of relevant standards.
BS and EN standards are expensive to purchase, but it is worth bearing in mind that some UK local authority libraries offer free read only access to standards.
Copies of ANSI theatre standards are available for free download on the PLASA website. See our Links page.

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CE marking

Although a CE marking is generally perceived as a safety marking, it is in fact a Free Trade marking. The intent of CE marking Directives is to ensure that the same product can be offered for sale anywhere in the EU by ensuring that technical requirements are the same for all EU member states.
If a product carries a CE marking, the manufacturer or importer is claiming access to the EU market because the product meets all the relevant requirements of all relevant Directives.
CE marking Directives cover a variety of different types and aspects of equipment. The current list is
Not absolutely all products are covered by CE marking Directives but, those which are not still fall within the scope of the General Product Safety Directive. This places a duty on manufacturers and importers of equipment to ensure that these products are safe in normal and intended use.
CE marking Directives contain Essential Requirements which are the fundamental basis of conformity. Technical details of how the requirements can be met are provided by EN harmonised standards.
For most equipment, manufacturers can make their own assessment of whether their equipment meets the requirements of the Directives but in some Directives or for some classes of equipment it is necessary for a Notified Body to inspect the items and give some kind of certification. In theatres the equipment most likely to require third party certification is equipment used for lifting persons more than 3m in the air. Equipment for lifting performers is excluded from this requirement, but it is still subject to due dilligence and risk assessment. Equipment used for lifting crew and technicians does require third party certification. CCQS is a Machinery Directive Notified body and so is able to carry out that certification.