FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Event safety is a comprehensive field and it is not uncommon for eyes to get bigger and bigger and nods to get more and more intense as we talk together to find answers to your questions. Just to give you a couple of “aha” moments before a personal meeting, here are brief answers to some relevant questions about our work, our services and much more.
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Do you have a very special question? And need a very individual answer? Then please write to us at: info@event-safety-consult.eu
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Event safety
Is there a precise specification of what must be included in a safety concept for my events?
- There is currently no legal requirement for the content and structure of safety concepts. Therefore, the recommendations of associations and organizations such as the Working Group on Event Safety (AVGS) and the Association of Heads of Professional Fire Departments in the Federal Republic of Germany (AGBF Bund) must be taken into account as the state of the art. In addition, some federal states and large municipalities have requirements for the preparation of safety concepts.
Who is allowed to create a Safety Concept for my events?
- If a safety concept is mandatory for the event, it must be prepared by the operator of the place of assembly, by the event holder or by an authorized representative. A minimum qualification is not regulated by law here. However, it is recommended that experts from the field of event safety be involved in the creation of a safety concepts.
When do I need a Security Service and Evacuation Concept for my events?
- Security service concepts must be prepared either at the instigation of the licensing authorities or as part of a safety concept, e.g. on the basis of the Ordinance on Places of Public Assembly. Such concepts provide information on the number of personnel deployed, their positions and their tasks. Reference should also be made to action instructions and qualifications necessary for personnel, as well as equipment, if applicable.
- According to the Ordinance on Places of Public Assembly, independent evacuation concepts are only mandatory when 1,000 visitors or more are expected. The organizational means required for evacuation must be worked out up to this limit within the framework of the respective fire protection regulations. If no fire protection regulations are in place, an evacuation concept must also be prepared for events of this size.
Responsibility/Qualification
Does experience play a role when someone takes responsibility for my events?
- In addition to personality and expertise, it is above all life and professional experience that determine a person’s suitability as manager in charge. Such a manager must be able to make professional and organizational decisions and also enforce them - in individual cases even vis-à-vis superiors and ordering parties if he or she is convinced that this will prevent damage.
- Ch. 6 of the industry standard IGVW-SQO6 defines the skills needed to become an event leader: “Only persons who have the relevant industry-specific expertise and practical experience to perform the tasks incumbent upon them are suitable for assignment as an Event Leader.”
Infection control/hygiene
As an event holder, what must I consider in the area of infection control?
- The obligation of the event holder to establish an infection control concept results from the Federal Infection Protection Act and, if applicable, from hygiene and infection protection regulations of the federal states, e.g. for the containment of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
- This infection control concept presents all measures designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
What is the difference between an Infection Control Concept and a Safety Concept and where do they interface at my events?
- A safety concept comprises the totality of all measures required to maintain a defined safety level. An infection control concept focuses on the measures designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. An infection control concept can be part of a safety concept or it can be created independently.
- When preparing an infection control concept, the person responsible must ensure that the measures defined in it do not weaken or override other measures defined in the safety concept for the protection of staff and visitors or even lead to new risks themselves.
Occupational safety / staff
What do I need to do with my employees before sending them to work at an event?
- In addition to the annual health and safety training, employees must also be instructed for each new event. This applies, for example, if an event has changed fundamentally or if it is held at a different location. Such training courses cover not only the conditions on site but also the risks that may arise for employees during the event and the measures and rules of conduct that they must follow in order to avoid the risk.
What is a Coordinator for Safety and Health Matters (SIGEKO) in the event sector?
- SIGEKO is the German abbreviation for Safety and Health Coordinator. The obligation to appoint a SIGEKO is based on the Construction Site Ordinance (BaustellV). According to this, the SIGEKO is generally responsible for the development and implementation of a safety and health plan, i.e. for the coordination of occupational safety during the planning and implementation of a project. The use of SIGEKOs is becoming common practice also for large and complex events outside of public places of assembly.
What does AMS mean in the event sector?
- ASM is the German abbreviation for Occupational Safety Management. This refers to the integrated approach of looking at all aspects of occupational health and safety, from planning to implementation, in all areas of the work process and taking into account all stakeholders.
- Important parts of occupational health and safety management in this context are the assessment of working conditions, the measures derived from it to prevent risks, and the continuous application of this process throughout the life of a project.
About ESC
Who hires ESC for implementing events?
- Depending on the project, we are either contracted directly by the event holder/operator or work on behalf of an agency or general transferee.
- Regardless of the constellation, whether as a direct contractor or subcontractor, ESC always acts under its own name and on behalf of the event holder and represents his negotiating position in the commissioned areas.
Who does ESC work for when implementing events?
- We work for industrial companies implementing events and trade fairs, for agencies, general contractors, event holders, operators, universities/colleges/student organizations, sports clubs, and many more.
- Some of our customers can be found here here
ESC services
Why are CAD-based planning documents necessary and important for my events?
- In order to communicate as smoothly as possible and without loss of information with participants, partners and staff during the planning and implementation of an event, it is necessary to adhere to generally applicable standards. For plans and drawings, there are a wide variety of specifications from the DIN-EN-ISO standards.
- When obtaining the necessary official approvals for the staging of an event, the approval authorities generally require compliance with these standards when submitting the planning documents.
Why does it make sense to have an overarching and consolidated coordination of the areas of visitor and occupational safety for my events?
- On the one hand, the causes that lead to risks for staff are often the same causes that lead to risks for visitors and contributors, and vice versa. On the other hand, the work required to hold the event can lead to risks for visitors and participants, or the visitors can cause risks for staff.
- In order to achieve the most accurate possible overview of possible risks and their mutual influence, all areas of an event must be considered as part of a comprehensive analysis and the measures derived from the analysis must be merged into an integrated concept.
When do I need an Occupational Safety Management System (AMS) at my events and what is its benefit?
- Occupational safety management is the integrated approach of looking at all aspects of occupational health and safety, from planning to implementation, in all areas of the work process and taking into account all stakeholders. When the assessment of working conditions, the measures derived from it to prevent risks, and the continuous application of this process throughout the life of a project become an integral part of operational procedures, then we are talking about an Occupational Safety Management System (referred to as an “AMS” in Germany).
- By means of an AMS, it is possible to continuously guarantee a high level of occupational safety, even in the case of extensive and complex internal processes and events.